(New pamunkin! ahhhh I'm very happy grave)
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| Me & Sister Tafiti |
Ok.
FIRST THINGS FIRST. My first nephew!!!! Ahhhhh I am so so excited.
I already love Jace Clark Rasmussen with all of my heart. I am so
excited. I am glad that he is one big, healthy, happy new addition to the
family. Haha so big. I hope that Lindsay is ok!! She is in my
prayers. All of you are in my prayers.
But
this week has been kind of a slow week. And today, all of Calapan is out
of internet. I don't know how that is possible. So we are in the
elder's area and don't have very much time and the internet is slow but I hope
you get this. I am glad I at least get to print off your e-mails... I
uploaded half my pictures on Photobucket and it was canceled. I will have
to do it next week I miss all of you a lot. Especially with these
new changes in the family.
My
church starts at 9 and Sister Busbee plays the piano (one of the couple
missionaries.) She is 80 years old and offers piano lessons to the
members and missionaries. She teaches the members how to play so that
when they leave, they will have pianists in the ward. It's super cool.
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| Sister Tafiti & Me |
So
a few funny stories: I have officially experienced my first earthquake.
Haha but it was short and really small. We were right in the middle
of the lesson and all of us were suddenly so confused. Sister Tafiti said
she could see flowers shaking on our investigators shelf. It was such a
strange experience. Then afterwards, when we realized what had just
happened, our hearts were racing and we were kind of freaking out. It
took us a little bit to pull ourselves together and try and bring the spirit
into the lesson. I was just thinking... wow if I got that scared at a
tiny little 5 second earthquake, how am I going to react in the ginormous
earthquake that we're due for in Utah. Which reminds me - make sure all
of you have your food, water storage!!! Haha really though... I think the
second coming is sooner than we think. Then one night this week, I
kneeled down with Sister Tafiti at her bedside to say prayers and I totally
passed out. We were so pooped. She was saying the prayer and she
said amen and I was gone. She was laughing and said "amen" over
and over getting progressively louder but I wouldn't budge. She would
lean in right next to my face and say "amen" and I wouldn't wake up.
Hahaha she was laughing so hard. Finally they started to be incorporated
in my dreams and I woke up and was sooo embarrassed. It was so funny
though. Sister Tafiti and I are basically laughing the whole day. I
feel like she is my best friend. I am so lucky. I secretly pray and
hope we'll have one more transfer together. I hope so.
On
Friday night, one of our investigators wanted us to come to his daughter's
18th birthday party. He said he had some referrals to introduce us to, so
of course we wanted to go (food and referrals haha). But, when we got
there, it was not your typical low-key spaghetti and videoke Philippino
birthday party. I thought I was stepping into a wedding. We
entered into this big hall and sat down at a table at the base of a grand staircase.
They started with this huge presentation, with announcer and music.
The birthday girl had almost bridesmaids? They all came down the
staircase, one by one, with dates, in giant ballgowns.
We
just looked at each other like, "what did we get ourselves into?"
Haha then the birthday girl came down the staircase and she had parang suitors
come up to her one by one with a rose and dance with her, then they had family
members and friends come up the front and light candles and give her birthday
wishes.
Then they set off a million balloons into the sky. Haha we didn't know how to leave but it was so weird! Haha and it was catered with all of these amazing foods. I don't know if it is a cultural thing but I can't even imagine how much all of this cost. Anyway, even though it took long it was a funny/cool experience.
Our
golden investigator, Wayne (19 yrs. old) is ready for baptism. He is
amazing, and I wish all of my investigators could be like him. He is just
really searching, really praying, reading, always asking good questions.
We had a really good lesson this week with him on the gospel of Jesus
Christ and on Sunday he came to church and asked when he could get
baptized. It is hard because we can only teach him twice a week so I
think it will still be about 3 more weeks but we are excited for him.
Still following up on our other investigators, but the area is really
progressing. We're excited. And we have just received a bunch of
referrals from members. The field really is white and ready to harvest.
On
Saturday, we went to the baptism of one of the elders and their investigator
gave such an incredible testimony. He is so converted. He had such
a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. The converting power of that
book is inevitable It is almost impossible to deny its' divinity if you
prayerfully read it. I could feel the spirit so strong as he was
testifying and I resolved to make sure that all of my investigators are
completely converted and repentant before they enter into the sacred covenant
of baptism. Especially because there are just too many LA's in the
Philippines.
One
sad thing that I have witnessed this week are all of the broken families.
Within members and investigators. You can see how much it effects
the parents and children and how much unneeded sorrow it causes. I am so
grateful for the gospel and how it can bless and strengthen families and allow
them to stay together forever. I am also so grateful to you mom and dad.
For your incredible example, your love for one another, and your love and
care for us. I pray that I can have a marriage like yours someday.
I
know that the gospel is true. I won't deny it. I love all of you so
much and prayers are with you and our new addition, Jace! Ahhhh he is so
darling and so chubby.
Love,
Sister Rasmussen
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