Mabuhay!

I can definitely mark off another great week on my calendar. Sister Loo and I had our first exchanges of the transfer and I got to work with Sister Sia (my trainee) again for the first time in 4 months. It was so much fun!! I love that sister SO MUCH. I also got to work with Sister Hawkins (another incredible sister) and guess which member we brought along with us to teach some investigators...Sister Maricel Pedral, my favorite women in the Philippines. I told you about her a few weeks ago but she was the less-active we found and helped come back to church and this was her first time working with missionaries as an active member. It was so great and nothing beats hearing her testify so assuredly to other individuals who are trying to find their own way. After I was telling her how great she did and she just smiled, put her hand on her chest and said, "My heart was pounding so hard!"

The Pagunsan family is on fire! I am so obsessed with them. If there was ever a golden family it would be them. They are doing so good and couldn't be more excited or ready for baptism on June 7. We have been working so hard to get their 4 sons, all under age 12, more involved and we have finally won them over. They hadn't been doing their reading assignments so last time we talked for awhile with them about how important it is and then gave each of the boys their own Book of Mormon. It worked! Last Saturday when we went back the WHOLE family had read. When we asked who read all of the boys hands shot in the air so proud. Of course their mother, Sister Sally, did because she is a star, but we were most worried about Brother Butch because he is SO busy with work. We asked him last and he just sheepishly grin then said, "Sisters, of course I read!" He had woken up early before work to read and started to share with us what he had learned from Alma 32. He said he noticed how much it mentioned being humble and starting thinking about why we needed to humble ourselves. He talked about how we could be converted without humility and then shared an experience. He said that one of his neighbors and used 10,000 pesos from him and never given it back. He said that he was filled with so much anger and felt as though he would punch him every time he saw him. He said that as he reflected on his reading he realized that he could let those feeling go and with the Savior's help be humble. It was so incredible to see him learning and growing outside of what we are teaching him. The Pagunsan family has had a mighty change of heart we see it and feel it and so do they.

Last week a member introduced us to a very kind, younger less-active women with 4 kids named Rio. No one knew she was a member including her friend and she hasn't been for over 10 years...until this past Sunday and she brought all her kids. Who knew coming into a mission that sacrament meetings would be so stressful, constantly looking at the door, but NOTHING compares to seeing the people you are waiting for, or never expect to see, walk through the door.

My mission has taught me more than anything about the importance of enduring to the end. I have learned that lesson bit by bit as I have helped new investigators begin that journey or being by a less-actives side as they make their way back. My mission has filled me with a sense of urgency to do the Lord's will, to be willing and worthy to always run his errands, no matter what is asked. I am still learning in a big how to better do that but I do know that I always want to give all I have to him, be obedient and progress. Preach My Gospel page 59 under "Salvation" described faith in Jesus Christ as a "faith [that] is manifested in a life of obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel and service to Christ." That is my deepest desire to have lived a life and served a mission of devoted service and obedience, for that is where true happiness is found.

Love you all!! Magingat kayo palagi!

Love always,

Sister Porter

Filipino Fun Fact:

One of the things I will miss the most in the Philippines are the storms. They are truly awe-inspiring. There is no way I can adequately describe them to you but watching them just testifies to me that there is a God. They are beautiful in a sort of terrifying way. It will be BLAZING hot with nothing but sunshine and then dark clouds will suddenly come rolling in. You can feel it in the air, everything changes. It honestly feels like the heavens open and everything just gets dumped out. I have never seen so much water. Everyone will just run to the nearest building or tents (in the palenkes or tindahans) to wait out the storm. the roads instantly turn into streams of water, moving FAST. It is so incredible and I know I just sound like a crazy person rambling about the weather now but I just wish you could experience it for yourselves.

The oldest (Andrie) and youngest (Elias) Pagunsan boys.

We helped a member build his house this week!

Cutest kids!

 Working with Sister Maricel :)

1. 
   

And the blessings keep coming...

I have so much to say and so little time so I am just going to make you a list. There are so many things that happened this week and there is no way I can adequately explain it in an email but I'll do may best. 

1. Sister Loo and I got a call from the APs last week that the four of us would be having a meeting with the leadership from two other missions and the Philippines area presidency in Manila. We freaked out! I was one of the most incredible experiences. We got there and were escorted into a conference room which we all sat around. There  were 12 missionaries (4 from each mission) and the whole area presidency (all members of the first Quorum of the Seventy) . The incredible part were they were there that day to here from us in preparation for their mission president's seminar. They asked us questions which we discussed for 2 hours. They learned our names and got to know us and gave us advice and thanks for all of our work. It was very humbling to see them listen so intently to a bunch of 18-22 year-olds. Definitley a once in a lifetime opportunity to interact so personally with general authorities and one I will never forget.

2. We have been feeling the need to visit a certain less-active family for weeks and it has just not been working. Well this week we got a member with us (after lots of trying) and finally made it to their house...but they weren't there. Their sister an incredible active member named Connie was though. We had talked to her about teaching her non-member husband but she said he wasn't ready or willing. However, he really respects the member we were working with so he decided to join. It was literally the most powerful lesson I have been a part of my entire mission. He is the father of 3 daughters who are all active with their mom and they all just watched him with love and so much hope in their eyes. He said he wants to change and accepted a baptismal date for the first time ever. Connie said that later that night he asked his daughter to help him write down the steps to pray so he didn't forget. Connie said she feels hope again for the first time in a long time. We has now avoided us a few times but we helped Connie wash dishes with their hand water pump outside last night and she just kept asking him not to give-up on him because he has never been this ready. We won't!!

3. We taught the Pagunsan family again and they ALL came to church again. Butch (their father) said that he told all of his co-workers and friends that he is no longer available on Sundays because he will be at church...that is huge for him! He said that if he were going to rate the church 1-10 he would rate it an 11. They love it! His wife Sally said that she feels like Joseph Smith searching for the truth and feel as though they have found it. They have accepted a baptismal date in May!

The Lord truly is hastening this work and it is only beginning. Any success we are having has been through the members. You make all the difference. Pray for and look for opportunities to find people. So many are waiting!!

Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes. It is incredible to think about what has happened in the past year. Definitely my best one yet. I love you all and pray for you always.

Love always,

Sister Porter

Filipino Fun Facts:

The handsign for "OK" here means money. That took some getting used to.

Also you should all be jealous of the delicious smoothies Sister Loo and I make at night from the fresh fruits we by in the palenke (market) on the way home from work. Its the greatest.

Ang init!

Kumust na ang pamilya ko??? Maraming salamat sa lahat ng mga sulat nyo sa akin para sa birthday ko. Ang swerte ko.

I swear I just sit down to write my email every week and just think...where do I start and I just I fit everything we saw and experience into words let alone a quick email...basta...LIFE IS GOOD.

We had our last exchanges of the transfer which was exciting. I got to work with Sister Mole. She is hilarious and it was so fun to get to know her better. Exchanges has definitely been my favorite part of this calling. 

We had Mission Leadership Council, which is always a really neat experience and opportunity. We get to discussion the mission and how we can all improve and change. I get to interact with so many incredible people on the daily. We also got to hear workshops from President and Sister Sperry...they are amazing.

Transfers happened...SISTER LOO AND I ARE STILL TOGETHER!!! We couldn't be happier about that.

The Pagunsan family is on fire. They haven't missed a Sunday yet and they aren't going anywhere. In one of the lessons the father, Brother Butch, said, "We used to hide from the missionaries and now we are the ones waiting for them." I LOVE THIS FAMILY!! We taught them the Word of Wisdom and it was the best Word of Wisdom lesson yet. It ended up a discussion with different members there sharing their experiences and our investigators answering their own questions as they went. One of Brother Butch's friends who was there was teasing him that he would have to give up his drinking and Butch just looked at him completely serious and said, "No problem," while doing a thumbs up. We went back on Sunday night to follow-up and they are doing great! They said they drink this gross heated up drink with ginger in it to make up for the coffee. They said that was an adjustment but they will get used to it. Then Brother Butch said that all of his friends have come over a few times to with alcohol ready to drink. He said he entertains them but while they are all drinking he just drinks his orange juice... We were smiling from ear to ear and on cloud nine at that point. I LOVE THIS FAMILY!! I am so grateful I have been blessed with the opportunity to interact with them. 

So a follow-up with Sister Connie (the active and incredible sister I told you about a few weeks ago). We haven't been able to teach her husband Cesar again since that first incredible/powerful lesson. He keeps hiding which is so frustrating. At one point we went back to just say hi after sharing with his family and he started running so we starting chasing him. It was hilarious chasing this full grown man. We come around the corner and he is on the ground hiding behind an animal pen. He came out and we all started laughing, including him. He is the sweetest man I think he is just scared and too proud to give in, feeling like he should be the one leading his wife and daughters, instead of the other way around. We had a fast with his children and Sister Connie this Sunday and we know miracles are on the way. I came up to Sister Connie after church and she just grabbed my arm and said the kids stopped their fast a little early (totally normal) but she said, "I just can't, its too important. I need a miracle." She just keeps telling us how badly she wants a priesthood holder in her home and its going to happen! I am excited to see what the Lord has in-store. 

Yesterday Sister Loo and I gave a workshop in Zone Training on "Raising the Bar". It was so much fun and a really special experience. I love preparing for workshops with her. I feel like we always end up learning way more out of the whole process than anyone else. We gave a few ways we felt like we could all "raise the bar" and ending with remembering the ultimate reason we are all here and that is to "invite others to come unto Christ." We gave everyone time to reflect on how they have come unto Him throughout their mission and then how they felt and what they saw as they invited others to do so. It was just a powerful experience. We are so lucky to all be a part of this work!! I relationship with my Savior has grown about 200% on my mission and the most exciting part is I will be able to continue to come unto Him throughout the remainder of my life until the day I return to Him and my Father in Heaven. It is so exciting! I know He lives. I know He is my Savior and Redeemer and it is through Christ that we live, overcome our weaknesses and find every peace and happiness.

Mahal ko kayong lahat!! Mag-ingat kayo palagi!

Love always,

Sister Porter

Filipino Fun Fact:

I don't know if I have said this or not so I am just going to say it and sorry if it is a repeat.... It is completely acceptable to tell someone they are fat, have to many pimples, don't look good or basically anything you want to say about someones appearance. It is the funniest thing. It definitely took some adjusting to but people really just say it like it is here. I have definitely grown thick skin and just laugh when people say I'm a giant or I'm getting fat or whatever else they want to through out there :) The funny thing is sometimes in the same day I will have someone tell me I'm getting bigger and the next appointment they say I'm getting skinny.

Connie, Cesar and their family. We gave their youngest, Mae Sunshine, a birthday celebration because they don't have anything.  She was so excited :)

Our workshop

 Our zone after Zone Training

Bababa ka ba?

Hey Family!!

So I skyped with you two days ago for the last time...so weird...and we aren't going to talk about that anymore because it freaks me out how fast time is going, however, it was so great to talk with you even if all I could see was shapes and it sounded like you were underwater :) The beauty of skyping in computer shops in the Philippines.

Such a great week. This transfer Sister Loo and I are just really trying to increase our vision/expectations and see what more is possible. This was our first week and it has been such a great experience. We have referrals coming in from about every direction (missionary contact and members) and different members working with us nearly every hour this up coming week. The Pagunsan family is confused now when we try to teach them without a member because we have always had someone with us :) They are so excited for their baptism the first week of June and we finally have their four boys sitting in on the lessons.

Sundays have become my favorite days here in Pangarap because the miracles just seem to come one after another. My favorite this week was most definitely Tatay Panganiban. He is an older man who had a stoke this past December and one half of his body is still for the most part paralyzed. He has been taught by missionaries for years because his wife is a less-active sister and his married daughter is active. However, he never felt ready or worthy to act on anything as well as let go of his addictions. But a lot has changed with the stoke. Sister Loo was able to teach him once on exchanges and then this past week we felt like we should stop-by. As we prepared during companionship study we felt like we should share a lesson on gratitude and commit them to start a gratitude journal as a couple. We didn't mention anything about attending church or even count Tatay as an investigator because he thought it wasn't a possibility with his disabilities. We were wrong... Half-way through sacrament meeting I looked out the door and saw Tatay slowing making his way in with the help of a cane and his wife as well as active daughter. He stayed for all three meeting and couldn't stop smiling. He is an incredible man and I am excited to see what happens next. His daughter just kept saying that this was the first time he has ever been to church before or after the stoke and couldn't stop smiling. She kept saying, "He is going to get baptized." We hope so too :)

During the Sacrament hymn this Sunday was "As Now We Take the Sacrament" and a few lines really hit me and can most adequately describe how I fell now and about my time as the Savior's representative. "Our thoughts are tuned to thee, thou Son of God, who lived for us, then died on Calvary. We contemplate thy lasting grace, Thy boundless charity; to us the gift of life was giv'n for all eternity. As now our minds review the past, We know we must repent; The way to thee is righteousness-- The way thy life was spent. With hands now pledged to do thy work...The blessings of this day will linger in our thankful hearts, and silently we pray for courage to accept thy will, to listen and obey. We love thee, Lord; our hearts are full. We'll walk they chosen way."

I love each of you and most of all the Lord and pray that each of us will continue to walk His "chosen way" for that is where we find true and lasting happiness.

Love always,

Sister Porter

Filipino Fun Fact:

The people here live a very,very simple life. They don't have much (as in hardly anything) but what they do have they take VERY good care of. There is one man we run past every morning on our jog who is always washing his van. It doesn't have a single spot on it. Last month Sister Loo's mom sent her candles for her birthday and we have been using them for birthday's of people we teach. This past week was on of our less-active, Julie's, 17th birthday day. We went over to teach and brought the candles along but forgot to buy a little treat to stick them in. They had prepared us spagetti (a birthday tradition here) and so we asked to close her eyes and give us her bowl of spagetti. She was so confused but we just kept telling her not to open her eyes. When her sister-in-law (our investigator) saw us pull out candles she ran and got a lighter then we stuck the candles in the bowl of spagetti and started singing. When Julie saw broke into the biggest smile and just started crying and laughing. It was such a special moment. It was a bunch of cheap candles melting and tipping over in her spegetti bowl and she couldn't have been happier. After she gather all the candles carefully in her hand, cleaned them and just held on to them. She said she had never had candles on her birthday, never gotten to blow them out and never gotten to make a wish AND they were her favorite color. Don't forget to appreciate the simple things because a lot of people are going without even the simplest of things :)

The chubbiest and cutest little boy in the Philippines.

Our room flooded in a rainstorm and got soaked our desks...which have everything important in them :) On the plus side this is the nicest apartment by far that I have lived in my entire mission.

View out the window as we study...we live in Paradise.

So blessed.

Pamilya ko, kumusta na kayo?!

MALIGAYANG MAHAL NA ARAW! [Happy Easter!]

First of all, it is most definitely summer now and we are MELTING. I forgot how unbelievably hot it gets here. Like I want to die but good thing it was SUCH A GOOD WEEK! (Is it ever not?) I feel like I say this every time but I have to say it again, we saw so many miracles this week. I love this area, I love Sister Loo and I love my calling. 

This week we did exchanges with the sisters in Deparo. This was great because one I got to see Sister Sia (my trainee) and do exchanges with Sister Pau (her trainee). It was so much to tease her and make her feel awkward while I watched her be a trainer. I love her so much and I'm so proud of all she is doing! It was also great because I got to go back to my first area...it was one of the best/weirdest experiences. It was so weird to walk the same streets and talk to the same people a year later. So much has changed, I have changed. I'm so grateful for it all!! I love my mission more than anything. I also got to see the most important person to me in the whole Philippines, Sister Maricel. I don't know if you remember her but she is a 34-year-old women that is maybe 4'11", if that,who was less-active and we were the first missionaries to find her again. So is doing SO GOOD. She is preparing for the temple and going strong and she just means the world to me. As I walked up to their little cement house my heart was just pounding. The kids outside saw me and started yelling, "Sister Porter is here! Sister Porter is here!" I could just see the top of her head through the window as she came running. At that point I just booked it to her. The moment she came out we screamed, hugged and both started bawling and saying how much we missed each other. Ah that women is so incredible. I will never forget that moment. I just hope she makes it to the temple before I leave the Philippines. I want to be there so bad! She texted later that night and said, "All of my problems are still here but I don't feel them anymore after seeing Sister Porter." As we were teaching she bore testimony to her still less-active family about the difference now in her life. She said that her life changed on April 28, 2013 the first day we came. I am so grateful for God's perfect plan and how exciting it is to see how all our lives intertwine. Who knew I would fall so in love with this special women and so many others in the Philippines....but I am eternally grateful He gave me the chance.

Easter Sunday was so incredible. First of all a less-active sister name Shirley was there with her 11-year-old son with disabilities who for the past month hasn't been able to walk, talk, sit or hardly even eat. We have all been praying for a miracle and it happened. His disabilities are still there but he is walking and beginning to talk again. So blessed. Sister Loo and I had the opportunity to speak about the Savior and Easter. We were seated on the stand a few minutes before the meeting started when I saw a family walk in the door. I absolutely freaked out and just grabbed Sister Loo and ran off the stand haha so was so confused. It was the Pangusan family, the last people in the world we expected to show up. They have been taught for years by missionaries without ever attending church or making any progress. We were re-introduced to them by a member, taught them two lessons and there they were! We grabbed Bishop and the whole ward just got excited about them. It was so great. In our gospel principles class with them, the members were fighting over who would come to their next lesson with us. It was so great. So blessed. 

On a funny note, later that day, on Sunday, we tracted into a family and their neighbors. As we were getting to know them I guess I zoned out for a minute. I had asked one of the men if he had a wife and was prepared to ask how many kids he had when he said yes...well that is what I though happened but when he looked all confused and said one and I looked to my side and saw Sister Loo with a terrified look on her face I knew I said something wrong...then suddenly I realized my mistake. I skipped a question and went from asking if he had a wife straight to 'how many?'. As if we don't already have a hard time helping people get over polygamy and then I asked that hahaha it was actually really funny and we all had a good laugh but it was super embarrassing. We are going back to teach them this week though :) 

I am just so overwhelmed this week by the message of joy and happiness we carry and sometimes we don't ever realize it or too easily forget it. Especially this Easter, and always, I want to do better to remember my Savior-- His sacrifice, His love, His life and His resurrection. We all have the opportunity to live again as families in eternal happiness...doesn't that just make every trial, temptation and doubt seem smaller? I am so grateful for the opportunity to wear His name!

I love you all so much. Mahal na mahal ko kayo at namimiss ko kayo. Mag-ingat kayo palagi. Sundin nyo ang halimbawa ni Jesucristo at tandahan nyo yung ginawa niya para sa inyo. Dahil diyan may pagasa at kagalakan tayo. Alam ko na lahat ay posible sa pamamagitan Niya kahit anomang bagay.

Love always,

Sister Porter

Filipino Fun Fact:

This week was Holy Week which is unlike anything I have ever experienced before. They were so little cars on the road and lots of people walking. We saw people to pilgrimages with meat for I think burnt sacrifices. I also heard that a lot of people here will injure themselves for a remission of their sins and in remembrance of His sacrifice, but I didn't see it. So different. Just keeps reminding me I'm in a foreign country but at this point it feels more like home than America :)

Makikita mo ang mga pagpapala...

This week was insane. We were SO BUSY but it was also one of the greatest weeks. We had exchanges, meetings, temple day and general conference so we didn't have a lot of time in our own area which is always tough. However, we definitely still saw a lot of miracles and learned so much.

This week we went to Camarin Zone and did exchanges with the incredible sisters there. The first day I was with Sister Apolinario. Not going to lie, I was way nervous to go out with her. We are batch which is intimidating and she just has a way intense personality I guess but we had an absolute BLAST. We were laughing so hard and I learn a ton from her. The next day I worked with Sister Jenkins (we were together in Valenzuela when she was in her training). It was fun to see how much she has grown and learn from her as well. That day was probably my favorite on exchanges so far. I just had the goal to give it everything I had and just focus on her. It was amazing. We saw so many miracles. My favorite was our first lesson. Sister Jenkins felt like we should stop by to say hi to a less-active sister so I followed her lead. When we got there it didn't seem like anyone was home so we yelled "Tao po." a few more times and as we were about to leave the sister finally came out. She invited us in so we decided to just try and teach. I heard her talking to someone in the back room and then a girl about my age came rushing out but wouldn't really make eye contact with us. We of course invited her to the lesson and began trying to get to know her. She was really quiet and shy-- just keep looking down at her lap while her aunt (the less-active sister) answered all our questions. We found out that Krisa had been abandoned by her mom when she was ten and was currently living with and working for her aunt far from her home in Bicol. As we started the lesson we were sharing about Christ and how through Him we can overcome concerns and trials. Suddenly Krisa looked up and just started talking. It was incredible. She explained that before she had never thought there could be a Jesus because life was too hard. She said that one day she asked her aunt what she should do about it and her aunt told her to come to church with her. So she did. She said that the moment she walked into one of our churches she knew there was a Christ. It was one of the most powerful experiences I have ever had. She said that she went for the next 3 weeks and asked the missionaries to come visit her. She said that everyday she waited for the missionaries to come but they never did until we showed up. She said that when her aunt came in to the back room and said said the missionaries are here she was too excited to even comb her hair and just came running out. I am in love with this 19-year old sister. Sister Jenkins extended her a baptismal date which she readily excepted and said, "I'm ready to change." My testimony has grown even more that people everyday are prepared and waiting. It reminds me of conference when President Eyring said, "You hold in your hands the happiness of more people than you can possibly imagine." I pray that we can all continue to be worthy and prepared instruments in the Lord's hands. I know that miracles are happening and even more are waiting just around the corner. This work is exciting and inspiring and we are all a part of it! 

I had so much more to say about confernece but time is short and my email is already long...but wasn't it amazing?! 

I love you all!!

Love always,

Sister Porter

Filipino Fun Fact:

I was so excited to hear Elder Teh's talk because he just got released from the area presidency here. It was fun to see everyone in the meeting sit up a little taller when he came on the screen haha. Everything he described about the Filipino people is perfect. I especially loved when he said they have "an abundance of spiritual strength and lack of materiel things." The people here inspire me. They live in the most difficult circumstance. I cannot believe or adequately describe some of the places I have taught in that that those individuals call home. We are so blessed for all that we have been given and I hope to never lose that perspective. 

 Zone Conference

Sister Sia (my trainee) with her trainee (Sister Pau)!!

Loving life

 Exchanges with Sister Apolinario and Sister Jenkins

Isang taon na...parang ayaw ko sabihin 'yon.

Transfers again...mabalis naman yung panahon. I seriously can't keep up with the time. I hit one year this week. It was bitter sweet. It was incredible to read my journal from my first few days in the MTC...I have changed and experienced so much since then, most especially these last two transfers. 

Its not possible to put into words my feelings about the past 12 weeks I have had with this incredible sister. It has been the hardest, most rewarding and changing experience of my life. I am so grateful for the ways the Lord has changed me and the love and appreciation I have gained for Sister Ayub. I can honestly say I have witnessed miracles with her. She has changed and grown so much. In fact on the way to the computer shop she talked a women on the jeepney, introduced a pamphlet and who we are, then asked for her information ALL BY HERSELF...that never would have or could have happened two transfers ago. She is an incredible sister and I am excited for what is ahead of her in her mission and beyond. 

We had a great week as far as work goes. We were so punted the beginning of this week by members and those we teach, but by Friday we were seeing so many miracles. My favorite miracle this week would be Sister Analiza. We have been working with Sister Barredo, an active member, for so long with the Work of Salvation and we finally saw the fruits of it. Sister Analiza came to church with Sister Berredo and then we were able to share a very special lesson with her that Sister Berrado played huge part in. I have gained such a testimony of working through the members even though it may take more time and patience it is worth every time :)

I am just so grateful for the opportunity I've been given me to learn and grow here in Malolos with Sister Ayub. This has been a sacred experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I have come to know my Savior in a way I never could have before. I have felt strengthened and given capacities far beyond my own through Him. My prayers to my Father in Heaven have transformed and I have seen and felt answers to those prayers daily. I have gained a love, appreciation and hunger for the scriptures. I just can't put into words how grateful I am for this time or what my experience has been but I have been changed. I am just so full of gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father who know us so perfectly and for a Savior who makes it possible for us to overcome our shortcoming, weakness and trials and I am even more overwhelmed with joy that I get to share that message daily for the next 6 more months and the rest of my life.

I love you all!!!

Love always,

Sister Porter

Filipino Fun Fact:

Just like anywhere it is of course polite to take off your shoes when entering a home but here everyone wears flip-flops when inside. One, because the floor in their home is dirt or dusty cement and two because they believe that you will get sick if your feet get cold after being in the heat outside. So it is always so funny when they freak and realize I have taken my shoes off to come into their home and then try to give me flip-flops or sandals to wear while we teach...its funny because the people here are tiny and I am NOT so I always have to try and shove my feet into the sandals or awkwardly just rest my feet on top of them :) 

One-Year-Celebration/Birthday Party the other sisters had for Sister Ayub and I :)

Sister Joyce got her mission call!!! I am so excited for her. She works with us every week and has become one of my best friends. She will do amazing things.

Our Zone got to go back to WaWa. It is so breathtakingly beautiful there. I love this country!