MIRACLES!

Hello family!!! 

Oh my goodness it has been a fast, miraculous week!  And I have lots to report. 

Me & Sister Melosantos

I love Sister Melosantos!

First off I love Sister Melosantos! Hahah she is such a good missionary and we have lots of fun together.  One of my favorite things about her is she is so magaling tumawad (good at bargaining).  She always ALWAYS talks down the price.  Haha it is one of the trademarks of a true philippino and she has taught me well.  She has really helped me to become a true philippino and I really do feel like I am one of these people... I don't want to leave!! Of course I want to see you... but I don't want to leave because who knows when I will ever see these people again.

But we found a ton of investigators this week and for me.... finding is really where you see the miracles.  Every part of missionary work is amazing but for me finding and seeing the conversion of people is even more rewarding then witnessing the actual baptism. 

I know that you are really familiar with the Cortez family (super active, used to be a Stake President).  Anyway, Sister Cortez's mother lives with Sister Cortez, and she is fairly old and I had assumed that she had been taught before but apparently not.  I had created a really good relationship with her over the past 6 months and she ended up agreeing to be taught by us.  She is in her 70's... but to my shock and surprise her mind doesn't show any sign of age.  She is sooo smart and quick with everything that we teach.  She read the Restoration pamphlet and understood every part of it and had lots of questions for us.  She is a member of the Church of God and is really active in her church so it might take a while for her to be converted, but the good news is she is really searching.  And when Sister Melosantos shared the first vision with her the spirit was so strong!! Oh my goodness.  And when we asked her what she felt after we shared it to her, she simply said, "I felt the Holy Ghost."  

Sister Cortez, Sister Cortez's Mother, me, & Sister Melosantos

She is not yet ready to be baptized or to come to church but she is already reading the Book of Mormon and pondering the message within.  I am so excited about her and I can see miracles in the future for her.

We also found another really prepared couple... Brother Aldrine and Sister Selene.  We actually went to contact a referral from Bishop, but she wasn't there and so we just knocked on the next door and we ended up teaching this young and excited couple.  They are both 22 and are really interested.  They understood the message and accepted Baptismal Goal Dates.  It just shows how although sometimes it is not the person you are actually looking for that is prepared, God provides away for you to be in that area or that time to meet those who are prepared.  This is His work.

Brother Marvin and Jhanelle Salvador are doing a lot better!! The youth of the ward came with us to invite them to youth camp and although they were a little hesitant, they joined and had tons of fun at the 3 day excursion.  We heard that they even bore their testimonies.  After that they both came to church on time which hasn't happened in a few months.  As they are preparing for baptism, it is helping Brother Gilbert to quit smoking so he can be worthy to baptize them.

On Saturday we had a half day mission where we went on splits with the ward missionaries to go and contact referrals and every group saw miracles.  In my group, we went to Mamu's brother who actually served a mission but is now less active.  He has 3 kids who are not yet baptized, and is going through so many trials.  He said that a few days earlier, the missionary that baptized him contacted him and asked him how he was, and the very day that we went to visit him, one of his old companions also contacted him to see how he is doing.  It looks like we were definitely sent to his house and he is being prepared by the Lord to come back.  I felt inspired to share 3 Nephi 9:13-14 with him and he teared up.  He is humble and ready to come back and it is an answer to our prayers as we found even another family to teach!  Not just a family but a part member family - what we call the low hanging fruit.

Brother Noel's baptism was a success and I think it will be the last baptism of my mission.  Tons of members showed up and I cried during the testimony of Brother Noel and Nanay Fe (the woman who was taught by the other sisters).  They were so short, pure, simple, but powerful.  I was grateful for such a spiritual final baptism that I would be able to witness.

I will end with the testimony that an Elder shared at our zone P-day earlier today.  He compared the long hike that we took up to 3 crosses in Paete to the walk that Jesus Christ took before he was nailed on the cross and died for us.  Instead of a backpack on his back, he carried a heavy cross.  Instead of a hat on his head, he wore a crown of thorns.  Instead of sweat dripping down his face, drops of blood came from his pores.  Instead of friends laughing and joking by his side, he was betrayed by his friends and made the journey completely alone.  We can't completely understand everything he went through for us, but as we consider it, it makes our little trials seem so light in comparison.  Especially when we realize that He has already gone through it and knows perfectly how to help us.  I know that the atonement is real because I have felt the strength that comes from it every day of my mission.  I am so grateful to give something so small back to Him in exchange for His eternal sacrifice that I might have a chance to live with you for all of eternity in happiness.  I love you and I love Jesus Christ, and I am grateful that His name is still on my chest.

I love all of you!! I will see you soon.

Love Sister Rasmussen  

3 weeks na lang!?!

Hello po my beautiful family?

How are all of you?  I miss you but I know the time is far spent and I will see you sa madaling panahon:)

Sister Galabay, Sister, Me Cayacay & Sister Melosantos

It has been a week full of adventures, laughs, surprises, disappointments, and miracles.  

 

Haha Monday night I woke up at 2:00 am to some super loud noises outside and dogs freaking out haha it sounded like someone was breaking through a gate/fence/door.  There was a huge boom, and then this light shined directly in our room and then turned to this creepy red light. Haha the adrenalin started pumping immediately and I was wide awake (but I think my mind was still half asleep... you know how I am when I just wake up.... weird things happen haha).  Anyway, I was almost positive someone had broken into our apartment.  I woke up Sister Melosantos, and we noticed how the light in the hallway was on.  I thought that it wasn't on before and we started freaking out.  Haha we were whispering figuring out our game plan.  Haha I said that we should just lock the door from the inside and she said we should put our dresser in front of it (I know we sound paranoid but keep in mind we just woke up).  Hahah we then crawled on the ground (so we couldn't be seen from the window) and pushed the dresser in front.  Haha returned to our beds and then said a prayer for comfort. I then asked Sister Melosantos if she was going to go back to sleep and she said she would observe/watch for a while and then go back to sleep.  Haha I don't remember but apparently I said, "ok," turned over and fell asleep immediately as if nothing had happened.  Classic Haley.

  

hahaha We asked the landlord the next day and apparently someone had just come home late and was super loud.

My companion always laughs at me because I am always calm, smiling, laughing, but if I see a cockroach, rat, or something creepy happens I'm super dramatic and immediately seem like I'm angry.  Haha then when it's all fine I'm just back to normal.  Haha it's hard to explain but she always makes fun of me for it haha.

 

This week we also had the opportunity to do service 2 times where we cleaned different school that are getting ready for the new school year in about a week. 

It was hilarious though.... Sister Morales (she is called Mamu here) is super good at english and there was this little boy who was about to pee on a motorcycle and she goes up to him and starts speaking to him in english hahahhahah when she is angry or serious she will speak in english.  Haha she goes up to him.... "HEY! HEY! Don't pee on there.  Don't pee on there!  They will cut your penis!"  Oh my goodness when she said that I burst out laughing and couldn't stop.  I guess it just doesn't mean as much to them because it is in a different language but I was so shocked.  I haven't heard that word in quite sometime.  Hahah it was one of the funniest things. I told her that I would tell my family the story so mom and dad... you can tease her about it when you get here.  She is funny and has a good sense of humor.

Sister Galabay, Me, Sister Morales & Sister Melosantos

So besides all of the craziness, of course missionary work has some sad and disappointing times.  For example, I was on exchanges on Tuesday and we went to go teach this less-active who served a mission but now she is about 65 years old.  Normally she will at least let us teach her but this time she wouldn't let us share with her, even the shortest 10 minute lesson.  She said, "no sisters... the Holy Ghost isn't with me."  We said, "Well, Sister Ellen!  That's why we want to teach you.. so that you can feel the spirit."  Then she said, "No.  If the Holy Ghost isn't with me, it is better that way."  When she said that I was so shocked.. How can someone who served a mission say things like this?  But that is what happens when over time we slowly let go of the iron rod, stop doing the small little things that count, and one day we find ourselves so far off the path we don't have a desire to return.  I was really sad but that is part of us having our agency.  No matter what, Heavenly Father won't force us to choose the right, no matter how much he wants to be happy. 

Then the next night, Sister Melosantos and I went to teach the Salvador family and we found Brother Gilbert sitting alone outside, smoking and drinking.  So sad.  I was sooo sad.  But I know that it is just part of being a new member... even if you are baptized, it is still hard to change from old habits.  But I walked away soo sad.

So the next night Sister Melosantos and I went and taught there family but we just went and approached it as if it was a brand new start.  We just joked around with them and chatted with them for a while and then we gave a super cool lesson on faith.  You could see the change in their hope and desire.  Their two kids accepted to be baptized and Brother Gilbert said that he would quit smoking to make sure that he is worthy to baptize them.  So we are really praying for them.

Sister Harding, Me & Sister Melosantos

And one un-expected new investigator... Sister Emy Diola.  She is a widow and I actually met her with Sister Maagad but we were just now able to go back and teach her.  She is sooo smiley and nice and just seems prepared for the gospel. She is Catholic but was saying how she knows it is wrong to have 'Santos' or graven images (which they worship in the catholic church) and is sort of searching for the truth.  After our first lesson she came to church last Sunday and was actually there before us!  It was awesome.  I hope that she will get baptized on June 20th so you can witness one last baptism mom and dad!! haha it is possible.

Anyway.. it has been another great week here in Sta. Cruz.  I am just trying to enjoy every last second.  I love you and pray for you!!!

  

Love, Sister Rasmussen

 

Frozen.. They are OBSESSED with it here!

Souvenirs 

Sister Cecile Cortez sent these pictures to my mom.        

Sister Cortez, me, & Sister Melosantos

Sister Galabay, Me, Sister Melosantos & Sister Cayacay

apat pang linggo!!

"four more weeks !!"

Me & Sister Melosantos

Hello family!!!

I feel like I don't have too much to tell you.... but it has been another great week and I am trying to soak up the fact that I still have a nametag on my chest.  I was feeling sad about going home and Sister Melosantos reminded me to think about you.... so of course, I miss you so much and am excited to see you so that is the only thing that makes me feel better about going home.

The next person to get baptized is brother Noel Reyes, the one who works abroad.  As of now, he is scheduled to get baptized on May 30th, so we are praying.  At first I was a little bit worried about him getting baptized and then immediately going back to work for 2 years but after talking to President Mangum I felt a lot better about it.  He explained that although it's not the ideal situation, it is ok if his family is strong enough to keep him strong.  I also found out that this is the exact same situation that Sister Melosantos is in... her dad works abroad and got baptized in the month that he came home to visit.  

Me & Sister Melosantos

They still aren't sealed in the temple but that is her hope and prayer for the near future.  It will all work out.  Last night, he said that at first he had tons of questions, didn't really believe, and was a little bit shocked by all the changes that had happened to his family while he was gone.  But he had a spiritual experience with the Book of Mormon and says that he feels much better and although he doesn't understand everything, he can say that that book is true.

Right now we're in the process of building our teaching pool and finding more families and so I'm not quite sure yet who is progressing.

Sister Dicen (do you remember her?  My first Filipino housemate.  Now I am in the same zone with her), me, Sister Occidental, Sister Harding, and Sister Melosantos

Thursday night we went to go teach France and Aldine who we were worried about because they STILL had not come to church.  But by this time, they were doing much better.  Sister France said that the assignment that I gave her in the Book of Mormon helped her SOOO MUCH and that she felt like it was written for her.  It felt good to know that I could receive revelation to help her.  They both committed as a couple to repent and come to church.... and they did.  I was just as happy that they came as I was with our investigators that came.

Me & Sister Harding

Friday, I went on exchanges with Sister Harding... a new missionary here from Virginia.  I love her so much and I am so grateful to work with her because almost everyone in my zone is Philippino!  Trust me I love the Philippinos, but it is nice to have a friend that you can completely relate to.  She is darling but is having a typical training experience.  She is having a hard time speaking the language, of course, and is going through all of the adjustments, but it was so weird to be taken back to my training days and remember experiencing all of that.  

I was glad to be able to help her a little bit.  And we enjoyed the time together to be able to go running... the Philippinos really aren't into running here so I will just have to worry about that when I get home hahah but yeahhhh.... 

Saturday, our ward did an awesome service project for this nanay in the ward.  I am sending some before and after pictures of the house but basically she was living in a shack with half a roof and no walls. So kawawa..... so the priesthood built them a new house and then we weeded her vegetable garden and then cooked lunch for everyone. 

 

It was super fun and it was cool to see how just a little bit of service could really improve the quality of life for someone.  The nanay and her daughter are such humble faithful members, even though they have next to nothing.  They will usually just walk to church, if they don't have enough money for the fair, although it will take like an hour, and they study the Book of Mormon, D&C, and and Pearl of Great Price all the time.  I really look up to them.  They know true happiness that money can't buy. 

Sister Melosantos

Anyway... I love you family!! Thank you so much for the support.  I hope all is well.

Ingat!!!

Sister Rasmussen

I am fetching water from a well!!

A baptism from the ward of an 8 year old :)

Me and Sister Suapaia..