Hello my mommaaaaaaa, and All of my FRIENDS and FAMILY!!!!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING J
I always have so much to sayyyyyy.
I am happy to report that Sister De Fiesta and I are still kasamas and we are still in Naguilian. Transfers happen every six weeks, but it depends on where president prayerfully decides to put people--its that way with every mission. So you may get transfered, you may not. You never know. It almost felt like I was getting my mission call all over again...lots of excitement/fear/happiness/worry. I tell Sister De Fiesta that we will be in Naguilian para sa walang hanggan (forever). And that would be okay with both of us. I am loving the people, and I love Sister De Fiesta. We laugh every day.

We had our first FHE here with the branch this past Monday--we've been told that it's been a while since it's happened. After our experience, Sister De Fiesta and I now call FHE here Family Food Evening, and we understand why one might be a little hesitant to host. For about 20-something people, one family provided soup, sandwiches, buko salad, and juice. We taught the lesson--Love at Home. And played about a billion games I have never heard of (but I am taking notes). One is called "Bato, batobato, batotoy" and is similar to simon says. Lots of children and laughs and chaos.

The other morning we helped an investigator, Lisa, clean her yard from typhoon debris. We chopped branches with what looked to me like kitchen knives and machetes, piled the clean branches for firewood, and burned the leaves. Ashes fell on us like rain and Sister De Fiesta told me to make a wish. It was our third time to see Lisa, and we left her with a copy of the Book of Mormon.

The grandfather of the Marinduque boys was taken to the hospital this week. Usually every time we come over, he disappears somewhere after we shake his hand. He doesn't like the missionaries. His wife is the one who loves to cook for us. We rode a jeepne to Ilagan to visit him unannounced and brought the zone leaders with us. We sang "I Stand All Amazed" and "Angels We Have Heard on High," and he accepted a priesthood blessing. When the time came for us to go, he shook our hands softly and looked us in the eye and said, "Makikita tayo sa bahay." We'll see you at home.

We found the world's biggest chair in Ilagan. (Picture)

We were in Cauayan for a meeting and Sister De Fiesta and I had been looking forward to getting Zagu for days--its the closest thing to frozen yogurt here...more like a smoothie/shake thing. It was such a hot, long day. We ran out of time and ended up having to get back to Naguilian. Needless to say, I was disappointed, but you know, I lived...And this is so embarassing and dumb, but I said a little prayer that Heavenly Father would bless me with something sweet later on. Soooo we went about our work, teaching lessons, meeting people, etc, etc. We got back to our apartment exhausted and I had completely forgotten about my silly little prayer, because it was so ridiculous. And as we were both writing in our journals I hear, "Tao po...Sisterrrrrrrrrs" from outside our gate. And we ran out, and there were the Marinduque girls with doughnuts for both of us. On the way back into the apartment, I stopped when I remembered my prayer. Heavenly Father answers prayers. I know I say it in just about every email. But my eyes are so opened here. Even our silliest, smallest, least important prayers, he hears and he answers. Imagine just how he answers our more important, life-changing prayers. The answers always come in His time and in His way, but He is there. I have no doubts. And He hears our prayers. I told this story to Lisa our investigator, and she smiled, and said that she would pray to know if our message was true.

Sometimes I am so overwhelmed with the language and knowing scriptures and teaching. But I love this quote that I found in the Ensign: "My dear brothers and sisters, don't get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don't feel downcast or despair if you don't feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to righteousness is simply to try. We must try to believe. Try to learn of God: read the scriptures; study the words of His latter-day prophets; choose to listen to the Father, and do the things He asks of us. Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible--and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you." So, I'm trying. Always trying. And I know my Savior is right there with me.

I am so thankful for all of the support I am receiving! From you, Matt, Sarah Roughton, Jillian, Lindsay and Nathan, and Victoria. Tell them all I am so grateful. Tell Victoria I LOVE HERRRRRRRRR. Tell Alainna I LOVE HERRRRRRRrr and Jillian and everyone. Tell Sister Morgan I love her and think of her also. Tell Jared to write me!

I have the Marinduque's singing recorded! I will see if I can attach it in another e-mail. :)
Momma, I love you, and I am so grateful for all of your emails. I read them all and I think about you always. I pray for you every chance I get. I am so grateful that you have friendssss!!!! Tell them I say hi! I miss you ALL and love you ALL!!!!