Week 8 from Jessica

Kumusta po kayo!

Hey guys! How' my wonderful friends and family doing? I just wanted to start out by saying thank you to all of you who wrote me an email this week! We only have a short time to email so it's hard to write you individually but know that your love and encouraging words go a long way and I am so grateful for all of you :) OH! And special shout out to my bestie Quinn Rice who turned 20 on June 19th :) I didn't forget I just ran out of time last time I promise! Ok so Dad i'm glad you had fun seeing your brothers and sister and that Grandpa's funeral was beautiful. Mom it sounds like you are living the life of super woman as usual- keep up the good work and know prayers are coming your way all the way from the Philippines!. Marissa it sounds like you are keeping yourself busy this summer and having fun! I miss you and love you so much! Devon... what a stud. I'm so proud of you and excited for you to go to BYU in a couple months- You're going to LOVE it! I made some of my very best friends and memories there. And Robert I love you so much and am so proud of you for getting your eagle and for making your soccer team! Good luck on your talk in church this week!

So now for my my week! It's been a lot better and less overwhelming than last week which is great and I am constantly reminded everyday of how much God has blessed me in my life. This week Gardo (one of my investigators- he's 16 and so nice!) is preparing to get baptized this coming Saturday!! He was all smiles this week and is SO excited to start this new chapter in his life to have the gospel and all of the many blessings it brings. In fact, he told me that he wants to serve a mission so that he can tell everyone about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and find peace and happiness in their lives. I'm telling you,this kid is a stud and he just makes my day every time I teach him because he is so willing to learn and change to be the best person he can be. On top of that since sister Calaunan and I have been here in Hermosa, we've tried hard to get some of the young adults to come out and teach with us. One of the young woman and one of the young men who previously had no desire to serve missions now want to serve missions! They are going to start working on their mission papers next week! I just love the joy and happiness the gospel brings to peoples lives... it makes everything I do here worth it :)

So the Philippines is awesome. 

#1 the food- I eat rice EVERY DAY EVERY MEAL. No joke. Oh and Banana catsup? Totally the bomb. They put it on everything. All the snack food is different here but its awesome! Piattos and clover chips... mmmm. OH!! I ATE BALUT!!! It looks so nasty but really isn't that bad... a little crunchy when you get the bones but overall not bad haha. 

#2 Typhoon season! Ya so it rains... A LOT. haha. We were out the other day and it just out of nowhere started POURING. I was completely soaked and the water is up to my ankles sometimes, but it was awesome. And kept me cool haha. 

#3 The eternal poof- that is what I call this mass of curls and craziness of hair on my head hahaha. I used to think my hair was bad wavy before... nope. Its great though, people just have to like me for my personality haha.

#4 Tagalog... ya its coming haha? I still don't understand most of what people are saying here unless they slow down a lot but it's all good! I have faith that one day (probably the day I leave the philippines) I will get it! :) 

Well, my time is all up but I just want you all to know I have such a strong testimony of this gospel and know that through it we can find true happiness. I love you all and know that I pray for you all the time!

MAHAL KITA!

Sister Lowe