When a Filipino compliments you on your rice that means it must be pretty good!

Hi Fam!

Man, I’m so happy that you guys were able to find the Rambutan! That makes me excited because now I know I’ll be able to get a hold of some when I get home.  And now it sounds like Amelia loves it too haha it's kind of addicting actually but I’m glad you guys like it too.  It's everywhere here by the bucket fulls!  (David went to the Asian Mall near his work and looked for some of the fruit that Ammah has sent pictures of and told us how much she likes, he bought some and we all tried it and sent Ammah a video of us eating it)

 So this past week has been good, there were a few times that we were asked to stay inside by the Mission President because of the heavy rain which was causing areas to flood.  Sister Medina sent me pictures this week of their neighborhood and they are up to their knees in water and they had to evacuate their house and stay with some other sister missionaries nearby till the water went down.  For one whole day we had to stay inside because the wind was just so strong and then not stop rain and thunder, to be honest it was pretty boring haha you can only study and organize for so long.  But I was looking out the window and thanking Heavenly Father that our House is not in a flood area. It was pretty crazy though, we texted all the members and investigators in our area to see if they needed help evacuating their things from their houses.  They all said they were okay, some of them got about a foot or so of water but they were able to get valuables out of the way before they got ruined.  The last few days have been mostly clear skies though with a little bit of rain so it's been better.  (picture from the internet of Quezon city flooding.)

 We've had to track more this week and we've found a few new people who might be interested I hope they can accept the gospel.  Some of them are whole families so I'm really praying that they will be open to the message we have to share.  Jenny wasn't able to come to church this week so her baptism had to be moved back one week now Sept 7th is the set date and she's been continuing to read the Book of Mormon and say personal prayers to prepare herself for her baptism.  She's so excited to invite her family because her brother in law is a member and so are some of her nephews and nieces but they haven't been to church in a long time.  We've been working with them as well.  I'm hoping that coming to see Jenny be baptized will help them have a desire to come back to church.  

I received some nice compliments from Sister Repotente this week  she complimented me on how perfect my rice was that I made the other day (and might I add it was made without a rice cooker and without a measuring cup haha) When a Filipino compliments you on your rice that means it must be pretty good! Success! I also got to work with her a day this week because Sister Ika was ill and we had to do splits so she came to my area to work for the day and on our way home in the jeepney she turned to me and told me how good my tagalog was :) I was so glad to hear that because I haven't had a Filipino as a companion now for 8 weeks and I've been wondering how my Tagalog has been progressing , it was just really nice to hear that, as sometimes I wonder hah.  

Not much more than that my family but till next week know that I love you all and I loved the videos you sent me.  It was good to hear your voices and see your sweet faces:) Love you guys so so much! 

Love Sister Jones

p.s.

 

 

We ate at a place called Banapple today and...oh my gosh...it was soooo good.  They have real American food there, Caesar salads, soups, milkshakes, cheesecake (which I had and it tasted just like cheesecake factory, delicious!), sandwiches, pancakes, chocochip cookies... and all for pretty cheap. It was the cutest store, too bad my camera had no battery sorry no pictures, maybe next time.  Also Sis Ika  and I found Quizno's in our area, we couldn’t believe our eyes and we were in heaven that day eating real toasted American sandwiches.  ( I found pictures off the internet of Banapple and added them to her letter, I wanna go to Banapple now)

You find those prepared and than the ones that are not so prepared and you love them all.

             Tim-Tams! haha this is for the Tucketts:)

The children of our investigator April. They love us haha they were singing songs for us that they had learned at school that day here.

Magandang Hapon Po from the WET Philippines.

Hello again family:) I run out of ways to start my letters haha so it's the same boring "hello family" every week but just imagine me saying it all excited and stuff! Oh man...those pictures of cousin Bobbi were beyond adorable! She has to be one of the cutest chunkiest babies I've seen (besides Amelia of course) ha! and the pictures from the Crab Shack were awesome, You all pull off those bibs just great;) and Yes the fruit I was talking about is Rambutan, I remembered after I got off the computer that I forgot to tell you what they were called.  Dad, It's definitely possible that you could find them at that Asian mall.  I eat them all the time, they are a great snack.

I hope you didn't worry to much about the typhoon and all ha , I just want to reassure you to not worry we are just fine here, just real wet all the time and cold....yes I said cold! haha I actually had to get out my quilt last night that I brought and wrapped myself up in it all night.  It's been raining NON STOP for the past 5 days, it just doesn't let up.  I'm grateful I'm in an area where it doesn't flood like some other areas here in the mission.  

Well to be honest their really isn't too much to say about this week.  Other than the rain it's been normal.  Jenny is still doing great she came to church again this week her third time in a row! We also had a sweet moment with her in a lesson the other day.  At the end of our lesson she expressed her gratitude to us for teaching her and guiding her. She said she will miss us so much when we have to leave this area in the future and she will never forget us...It was just some of the nicest things I have heard from someone here and it  warmed my heart.  I'm glad I could help someone like her who has been so prepared to accept the gospel.  I'm grateful that I could be in this area for a time to be able to meet her and many more like her here.  It makes me confident in the revelation that President receives that we are needed in certain places and certain times to help certain people.  Some of the investigators we have had we have had to drop lately because they aren't progressing...it's sad when we have to decide to drop someone.  We don't completely say goodbye to them though we just "put them on a shelf" so to say.  maybe it's just not their time right now and that's okay.  I  pray that someday they will think about the things we have taught them and maybe some missionaries in the future will find them again when they are prepared. For right now we have to use the lords time wisely and find those who have been prepared to hear the gospel right now.  One of these is a 14 year old boy Erwin who I have taught since my 2nd week in this area.  I have so much love for that kid and a week ago we had to say goodbye.  We still visit and say hi to him, but my eyes watered as we left that house...I pray for him every night.  hmm.. but that's the life of a missionary though.  You find those prepared and than the ones that are not so prepared and you love them all.

 

On a more lighter note, we have two new sisters in the house Sister Strebel and them are a threesome.  So now we have 5 sisters living under one little roof. haha and let me tell you it's squished in there talaga.  One bathroom for 5 sister missionaries..yah...just ponder that for a second! But, they seem nice and I'm excited to continue to get to know them.  

 

Well Fam, I love you all and I think about you all the time and always have a constant prayer in my heart for you. I love you:) Listen to the spirit and continue to be good my sweet sisters;) 

 

Love, Sister Jones

Haircuts, Singing, Typhoons, Transfers...Spreading the Gospel..the usual:)

 Hello po ang magandang pamilya ko!

Hey there EVERYONE!

Our cute little guest for a lesson. It's ears are huge.

Some of our investigator children.  They are reading from a Primary song book and singing.

The security guard at the church bldg.

Sister Ika BEFORE I cut her hair.

Sister Ika AFTER....her hair turned out cute huh?

Me and my Anak just chillin in a tricycle, our main form of transportation besides walking/hiking.

Weird fruit that is in season for only 4 months. I love it. It's my favorite fruit.

 

 

Man I really loved those first day of school pictures Mom, thanks for sending them. I'm just completely blown away with how grown up Andelyn and Amelia look! Amelia you look like a little woman now your so not a little girl anymore haha I feel like the "Amelia" I have in my head is still the 10 year old with the funky socks ha! btw Amelia got your letter in the mail last week...thank you! loved it:) and btw Mom and Dad I hope you had a great 23rd anniversary!  The next time  it rolls around I'll be there to wish it in person! 

Welp..we found out who was being transferred last night and...I'm staying! and my wonderful Anak sister Ika will be staying with me.yay yay. Sister Medina is transferring and Sister Strebble is getting a new American companion.  I'm going to have to work on my Filipino cooking skills this transfer so we don't all starve. Medina was our cook! haha I'm so happy that S. Strebble is staying, she and I have become real good friends as well,  we like all the same music and movies from back home. We quote The Office to each other all the time and sometimes she'll sing Les Mes with me haha were soul sisters! 
I feel really good about this transfer and we have a baptism coming up for Sister Jenny in 2 weeks.  I'm  excited for her, she's  ready:) After church this past Sunday our 2nd Counselors daughter was baptized and Jenny stayed with us after church to attend.  After it ended we walked out and she turned to me and told me about how excited she was to be baptized, and she can't wait.  She's also been introducing us to her friends so we can teach them, one of them is Lianne.  She is 20 yrs. old,  we've only taught her a few times but the other day we received a text from her and she said that she knows the Book of Mormon is true and all that we've shared with her is true, and that Heavenly Father answered her prayers.  Aww she's just the sweetest and she has a desire to be baptized as well so hopefully she won't be too far behind sister Jenny in following the example of our savior.  I just love those two girls and I'm glad I'll still be here to teach them.  I think they were as nervous as Ika and I, they kept telling us how much they wanted us to stay and they would be so sad if we left.

So I'm not sure if you've heard but their was a typhoon in the Philippines this week near Quezon City, we have been getting affects from it so it's has rained every day this week and hard, it's been very difficult to work in it, not gonna lie.  Especially up in the mountains because it's slippery and real muddy but we've been managing and keeping safe.
 

Last p-day I gave my first haircut to my anak! She wanted her hair cut real bad and didn't want to pay to go to the Parlor so she asked me to do it.  I was so scared cause it's a short haircut! but...it actually didn't turn out too bad and EVERONE has been giving her compliments, and she loves it soo..success! I'll attach a before and after picture for you.

We have a security guard at the church building who is there almost everyday and he always has his guitar with him, sometimes I mess around on it for a few minutes but I just get sad cause I can't remember most of the songs I had memorized before I left:( but...He is really good and  last week I sat beside him and sang a few songs with him.  A bunch of the oldies like "when you say nothing at all" etc..it was sooo fun and I miss it oh so much.  Whenever I see guitars on the streets my hands just itch to start playing haha but alas it is not meant to be right now..

 

Well family I'll wrap this up now, miss you guys tons..everyday..and think of you often. Please be safe and listen to the spirit:) love you all! Muah!

ahhh, I always get so nervous around transfer day.

 Hi Family :)

Ammah's very 1st companion from the MTC...they see each other on transfer days and special engagements. Special Friends Forever!

 

 My first Filipino dish that I made all by my self without any help! haha, it's called Pancit! It's so yum and it turned out perfect 

 

Close up...don't ya want a taste. Ha...I'll make ya some in 11 months.

Children of our less actives they are the sweetest girls I love them:) 

        Temple tour on Saturday with less actives and investigators

My pangit tan! haha I told you it was bad.  I finally have a picture that proves that I can actually tan.

Wow Mom....

those pictures were pretty great. I can't believe you all got sunburned,  it looks like you guys are  having a blast though, your making me a tad trunky (homesick) but I know we will have opportunities as a family to go to Cali in the future :) You are doing all the same stuff I did when my girlfriends when I went there after high school graduation, riding along the beach on the beach cruisers, Balboa Island awe..yup..that was the best! Maybe someday I'll be able to track along the beaches here in Mindoro who knows! I would love that.

This week has been great and full of blessings, We have found a lot of new investigators and they all have families that they are introducing us to this week that they want us to teach so I'm super excited for that.  Families are the perfect people to teach because this gospel is all about families :)

 

We had the Sister Leaders work with us this week and it was a great opportunity for me  I worked with Sister Suarez, she is close to leaving for home and she gave me tons of pointers on how to go finding and tracting, which really helped and inspired me to find more people.  She is kind and so spiritual and I  appreciated her advice,  I found a new friend in her here in the mission.  I am so grateful for all the people I've met and become friends here with.  These are relationships I would have missed out on if I hadn't gone on a mission.  Even relationships with investigators and less actives.  I have become close to many people here, as we are nearing our next transfer day I'm getting nervous.  I  don't want to leave just yet. I love this area oh so much, and I love, love these people.  I pray for at least one more transfer in this area.

 

Speaking of which...this area is really starting to progress and especially if we can get a group started it would progress even more. One investigator we have is Sister Jenny, she has been taught now for 6 months from other missionaries and she has  made an impact on me, I just love her so much and really want her to be baptized.  She has a bap date for this month hopefully it will happen.  She has had a real rough time this past month, she is 23 years old and her husband just recently left her for another women who is pregnant with his child out in the province.  Jenny has a one year old son and her heart is completely broken.  The thing I love about her most is that she has continued to pray everyday for strength and to find a job so she can support herself and her son. She has a lot of faith in God. She wants to be baptized  but she is one that struggles with not having enough fare to get to church. She's been praying a lot to be able to find a good job so that she can save up money to come to church.  She's awesome :) .  Hopefully I can stay to see her be baptized.

I would also like to stay with Sister Ika too, we have really grown to love each other and she's  doing great work here.  I have loved being her trainer and hope I may have the opportunity to finish her training this next transfer, we shall see...  ahhh, I always get so nervous around transfer day haha. But.. I know the lord knows where I am needed and I will go where he wants me to go:) 

 

Family I love you all so much, be safe while traveling back home na! 

Take care of all those sunburns hehe ;)

love,

Sister Jones

 

Excerpts from a quick letter Ammah sent me on Wed this week. Which was the best birthday gift I could ask for.

 

Mom..so before you freak out about getting this email when it's not my pday..haha.... we were asked by President to do some online training stuff sometime in the week so I wanted to do it today so I could email you real quick and you would get it on your birthday as a surprise....so...SURPRISE!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!! I hope you guys are having so much fun there in California, not sure if you have come back already or not but so glad you all had fun.  What a fun birthday treat:) Mom I loved your letter that you sent with my new tops. I have read it a few times and I miss you and Dad all the time.  Thank you so much for the shirts I tried them on and they look great and I've gotten tons of compliments on them.  You said in your letter than you can feel my love for you growing through emails, and it's true! I didn't realize how much I would miss you all till I was gone and now I can't wait to get back to you all.  I just look back at how I got here on a mission and it's all thanks to all the things you and Dad taught me and your example.  I'll never be able to tell you both how grateful I am for all you do, all I can do is be an example to others so that they know I was raised by great parents;) Mom I hope you have a great birthday and everyone treats you extra special today on your FORTY-SECOND birthday haha woww bata ka, your still so young! Everyone who sees my pictures always tells me how hot my parents are and how young my mom looks haha! serious ako! but really mom Happy Birthday, I love you:)   and Dad.. I love you too;) 

p.s..  no i'm not a sister trainer haha that is a letter notifying you about me training. that's all  I got the same letter actually and I thought the same thing, my heart started pounding so fast! Then I realized what it really meant and I calmed down haha scared me to death! not ready for that yet...

and... tell jade congrats for me I just love her from all that you've told me about her.  I'm so glad she and Amelia are friends:)  hopefully they will be able to still see each other often even though they go to different schools. 

 

Okay I need to go do my training now ha! just wanted to shoot you an email and say happy birthday:) love you!!! 

also p.s. ulit...next week is transfers  so pday isn't on Monday it's Tuesday! Love you all give the girls a hug for me muah muah muah sa inyo lahat! mahal ko kayo talaga!