Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Maligayang Bagong Taon
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Ashley Mecham
9:22 PM (15 hours ago)

to me, Amanda, Austin, Elizabeth, Liza, Jamie, Kendra, Lindsey, Patrick, D, Ryan
That was a strange Christmas call. The call dropped while you were making me talk to the cat... and then time was up. Hah! But it was great hearing your voices family! Mahal na mahal ko kayo!

This week was crazy time. We talked to SO MANY PEOPLE and it was awesome. Christmas was three set dinner appointments with members and then everyone else in the world forcing food down our throats. It was painful. But it was beautiful because we had the opportunity to share the reason of Christmas to all of Pasay City. But, sadly, the next day was suffering the effects of food poisoning. It was painful. I'm still feeling it. 

However, on Saturday we had the best day! Sister Tuia and I were feeling so sick but we felt like we really had to work anyway so we did. We would walk around like zombies and then pretend to be normal when we saw someone we needed to talk to. Then we would turn into zombies immediately after until we found someone else. It was awesome! We found a ton of people to teach! But by the end of the day, we still hadn't reached our goal for new investigators. We had set a high goal the night before and really had faith that we could reach it. It was 8:00 p.m. Our last appointment wasn't home and our back up was asleep. We were so happy. It was a great opportunity to find a family to teach. We said a prayer and the spirit led us to a street I'd never been down before. We passed a home but turned back. I was apprehensive about knocking on the door because it was late. But I knew the Lord wanted me to, so I did. A father came to the door and I had no idea what I was going to say. I opened my mouth and I don't remember the words that came out but he let us in. We taught him, his wife, and his 8 children the message of the Restoration of the Gospel. The spirit was strong and they invited us to return. It's a simple story, but for me, it's a miracle. We set inspired goals and worked with faith that the Lord would help us reach them even though we felt so sick. The Lord loves us, but even more, He loves the Monillas family and wanted them to hear His message of love and hope to the world.

This week I've been super frustrated with the disobedience of missionaries! I've accidently become the obedience police and it's really awkward. BUT, in John 15:18-19, Jesus teaches that if we want to be loved by the world, we have to join the world. But, He says, "I have chosen you out of the world." Especially as missionaries, we have a higher standard we must live by and though the world, or even other missionaries, don't see the importance of it, the Lord does. And that's that. 

Happy New Year, family. Don't smooch too much.

Sister Mecham

Flooding Pasay City Hall with Book of Mormons
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Ashley Mecham
Dec 23 (7 days ago)

to me, Amanda, Austin, Elizabeth, Kendra, Jamie, Liza, Lindsey, Patrick, D, Ryan
Dear Family,

MALIGAYANG PASKO. Merry Christmas, eh. Christmas in the Philippines is the same as Christmas in Utah but replace the snow with drunk people. I know, I've used that joke before.

This week was a big cheese ball of crazy. They sell cheese balls here but they're 1,800 pesos, which is like, way over the missionary budget. So no real cheese balls. We had transfer day. My daughter, Sister Francisquete, finally came back from Palawan. (don't worry, I'm still reigning champ for longest sister on Palawan. I was 5 transfers, she was only 4.) Anyway, I got to see her. It was blissful. Her new companion is Sister Disoloila from Fiji who is insanely adorable. I spent the whole transfer day running around, teaching and helping the new missionaries. So I had no time to cry my eyes out because Sister de Leon left me. She became my best friend. She is the prettier, filipina version of me. 

The next day after transfer day was our mission christmas party which was okay, but I would have rather been working. Especially because when I got there our zone leader told me I had a main part in the play he wrote for our zone presentation. Ayaw kong umakting. That's that.

Then on Saturday DOROTHY was BAPTIZED. It was awesome. She's great. And guess who baptized her? Our other recent convert - Joshua! It was a beautiful experience. Before it happened, I asked Joshua if he was nervous. He said, "No, this is my priesthood duty." BAM. So rad. 

We then actually had a ward Christmas party that was a fund raiser for Tacloban. We gave them our Christmas party budget AND had a fundraiser Christmas party. Pasay is the best ward.

Oh, Sister Tuia is my companion. She is Samoan. She's my first companion where I speak more Tagalog than her. It's weird.

Okay, this is about all the time I have because I already spent most my p-day Christmas caroling with the primary children of our ward. We went to city hall and the children soften the hearts of the people and we made so many contacts and passed out so many book of mormons and it was such a great experience. But now I have no time to wash my clothes. It's okay. Who needs clean clothes? Char, joke. 

Merry Christmas! I adore you all!

AYAW AYAW, pero, ayos lang
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Ashley Mecham
Dec 15

to me, Amanda, Austin, Elizabeth, Liza, Jamie, Kendra, Lindsey, Patrick, D, ryan.mecham
Last week I got to go on exchanges with Sister Reyes! Maybe we just talked about Palawan the whole time... mostly kidding. We did work I swear. But, as the exchange is coming to a close, Sister de Leon texts me, "Sis, magtatrain ako." My response, "Biro lang ba ito? Kasi, hinda sya nakakatawa." Which means, "Sis, I'm going to train." NOOOO! Sister de Leon has been fired as a Sister Trainer Leader and gets to train. This was a shock because, so far in our mission, no Sister Trainer Leader has been let go! They always finish their mission as STLs. But listen, even though it is sad news for me because I adore Sister de Leon, it is also great news because hopefully that will happen to me, too! Not that I don't love serving my sisters, I just super love training. And my new companion will be Sister Tuia! I met her in the MTC, she's one transfer ahead of me. She's from American Samoa and she's hilarious so I'm super pumped. I've been praying that my new companion wouldn't be American (I'm not racist, I swear. Filipinos are just easier to get along with than Americans...) But I only got a half american! Hah, I'm super excited. It's going to be like the old times with Sister Hunt. But anyway, let's talk about real things.
This week was a good one! It's been the first week in a while that we got to spend most of the time actually working in our area. We have seen so many miracles. We're working so hard to get baptisms this month. We have so many investigators that are so so so close. They all just have super huge problems and need to be interviewed by President Stucki in order to be baptized and that takes time. But, I am patient. We're going to have some really great baptisms in the upcoming week. Hey, can you do me a favor and pray for our investigator Elias Samonte? He's so great and is so ready to be baptized but he is struggling so much quitting smoking. We've done everything to help him, including making calendars, visits multiple times a day, daily scripture verse texts, calamansi juice, at iba pa. It all really comes down to himself and the Lord and his willingness to just do it. But, please pray for him. I know he can do it, he just doesn't believe that.

This week will be crazy. Transfer week which means I have tons of meetings and I have to teach a ton at the meetings and it's super fun and not stressful at all. Also, we have our mission christmas party! Who knew? Missionaries actually just party all the time. But I think Sister Francisquete will be transferring off of Palawan so I will get to see her! Mother and daughter united at last. 

Anyway, I just had a keyboard malfunction which took some time out of my email, so I know it's short short but that's just about good. Love you all!

Oh wait, the Christmas call is coming up! I'm not sure what time I will be able to call, but I'll let you know. Do you want me to call on Christmas? Or Christmas Eve? Or the day after Christmas? Which will be more convenient where you will all be there? Also, I can Skype you if you want. It would be awesome if the chitlins Braden and Bailey could be there because they're probably huge. I also have no idea how to skype from here, but let me know asap what your skype info things are so I can give it a shot. No promises, I might just end up calling. 

ttyoc

Sister Mecham

maiyakin na ako
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Ashley Mecham
Dec 8

to me, Amanda, Austin, Elizabeth, Liza, Jamie, Kendra, Lindsey, Patrick, D, ryan.mecham
Hey, I love you!

This week was rough! Whew! We had MLC where I cried in front of all the mission leadership and it was super awkward. Especially because I never cry. Okay, exaggeration. BUT usually never. Anyway, moving on. I learned a lot and it was great.

I'm trying to remember what else happened this week... This is embarrassing. Um, okay. Oh! I went on an exchange with a sister that is struggling so much. She wants to go home so bad because she's been here five months and can barely speak tagalog. She is so discouraged but we are doing everything we can to keep her here, respecting her agency hah. But that was my duty at this last exchange. And it was awesome. I felt the spirit working through me as we worked through the day to help build her confidence in herself and in the Savior and I found myself saying things to her that I would never have said to anyone. At the end of the exchange, she expressed her desire to stay on her mission and how she has a new commitment to be diligent in serving the Lord in order to feel the JOY in missionary work. It was an incredible experience that I can't exactly explain. Basta, because Heavenly Father loves her and knows she has much more to do on her mission, He put into my mouth the things that would help her. That usually only happens to me for the people we teach, but now it's happening to help the Lord's missionaries here in Manila mission! I love being a missionary!


"In the end, your heart and your will is all that you have to give that the Lord does not already have."

Sister Mecham

Wa pakels
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Ashley Mecham
Dec 1

to me, Amanda, Austin, Elizabeth, Liza, Lindsey, Jamie, Kendra, Patrick, D, ryan.mecham
^^^ That's slang so you probably won't be able to google translate it.

Hey hey hey! How was your Thanksgiving? I thought my thanksgiving wouldn't be a real thanksgiving but it actually was. I'll tell you about it later.

Last week we got to go to the temple! Enjoy the picture of just me... Sister de Leon and I have no friends to take a picture of the both of us! But that's okay, we've accepted that... parang wa pakels sila sa amin. Anyway, the temple is the best. I'm so happy we got to go. 

Then, we had mission tour! Elder Echo Hawk from the 70 and his wife came and spoke with us for almost the whole day and it was an awesome experience. Those two have such strong faith. Sister Echo Hawk also told us a lot of stories of what happened to the missionaries in Tacloban. It's so crazy. But all 204 of them were safe, even though no one knew where they were for a time. Elder Echo Hawk also told us a really inspiring story about how he was blessed to observe Elder Christofferson in the process of receiving revelation for where missionaries are to serve. He said there were two television screens, one with a profile of the future missionary and one with a map of the word. Then Elder Christofferson would ponder and choose, completely by revelation. He said there was one time that a future elder popped up on the screen that had it all. Leadership experience, excellent grades, everything. Elder Echo Hawk was sure that he would be called to the hardest mission in the world, wherever that is, because he was obviously so talented. He was called to Iowa. Elder Echo Hawk thought, "I'm sure that's not the hardest mission in the world..." Then Elder Christofferson paused, as if to question the assignment, then said, "When this future elder receives his call, he will be disappointed. But he will accept the call and serve a very successful mission. He will be an instrument in the hands of the Lord in converting someone that will be a great asset to the Church in these latter days." BAM! It was an awesome testimony builder to me that we are called to serve in specific areas, not because we're super talented or because we aren't, but because the Lord has prepared specific people that He knows we, with our specific talents and personalities, can help. Awesome.

Anyway, that was thanksgiving day. We had a huge lunch with TONS of food. Then, surprise, the mission leadership (The sister trainer leaders and zone leaders) are invited to a secret meeting with Elder Echo Hawk at the mission home afterward. It was a mind blowingly spiritual experience. He told us tons of secrets about things that are going to happen and specifically said, "This doesn't leave this room." Hah. It was awesome. Then, we ate thanksgiving dinner with Echo Hawks and the Stuckis. And it was real thanksgiving dinner. I ate mashed potatoes and stuffing and turkey and ham and green bean casserole and olives and it was crazy. It was also hilarious to see my philipinos tasting American food and being freaked out by it. Because usually it's the other way around. But I didn't get any pictures because it was a secret meeting and even I didn't see it coming.

I wanted to share another blessing. Sometimes, as a leader in the mission, most missionaries are afraid of you because they know the Stuckis are just a text away and they think if they mess up in front of us they will get in trouble. So, sometimes they aren't too excited when we tell them we will be doing exchanges with them. But, the other day we saw two sisters that are both really new in the mission, one just finished her training and is now training the other. We had a really awesome exchange with them and they are great missionaries. But when we saw them, they said, "We have something we need to tell you." And they were so serious and we were nervous. But then the trainer went on a huge tangent about how they applied all the things they learned from us in their work over the last week and had the best week on their missions and experienced so many miracles and then, with tear filled eyes, sincerely thanked us for our time and willingness to go on exchanges with them. It was so great because we had the opportunity to see the fruits of our efforts and to learn from their amazing example of gratitude. That's all.

This week was also a great week of work! One day we were walking down a street that we used to go to all the time but since we moved houses, we don't. They we saw a man with an adorable baby so of course we talked to him. Instantly he said, "Are you Mormons?" YES WE ARE! Then he said, "Follow me." We were super confused but we followed him. He led us to a small home and he beckoned the inhabitant. A young woman, probably in her 30s, answered the door. Her face lit up with joy when she saw us. She said, "Pasok kayo!!!" emphatically. we had no idea what was going on but we entered her home. She then explained to us that missionaries had taught her mother 3 years ago and she kept thinking about that for some reason so has been praying that the missionaries would come back. Then she asked her friend, the man I mentioned earlier, to bring the mormon missionaries to her if he ever found them. BOOM. She came to church the next sunday and will be baptized in January. The Lord totally prepared her for us, we barely did any work to find her. Then, another day, we were beckoned by a man that looked a little drunken, so we didn't stop to talk to him. (I hate to say, but we have to be a little picky with who we talk to because there are a lot of drunken men that beckon us daily...) But then we walked a little way, then we both stopped. We had to talk to him. So we went back. Turns out he's a member that hasn't gone to church in ten years but has wanted to return lately but didn't know where the church was here. So we told him. He came to church the next day. It was awesome. That's all, I know if we are obedient and work hard, the Lord will literally place people in our paths who are ready for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I hope you are all well. This was a super long email. Enjoy.

Sister Mecham

LAFANG
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Ashley Mecham
Nov 25

to me, Amanda, Patrick, Liza, Lindsey, Jamie, Kendra, Elizabeth, Austin, D, ryan.mecham
Dear Family,

Maligayang...Thanksgiving! There's no Thanksgiving here so I'm not sure of the Tagalog for it... maybe, Araw ng Pasasalamat. 

This week was crazy and great! We went on 3 exchanges. We only had a little bit of faith that we could accomplish 3 in one week but the Lord blessed us anyway and we had great experiences! This week we will have no exchanges because we have TEMPLE DAY today and MISSION TOUR on Thursday. Oh, that's why my email is late. P-day is Tuesday this week. I am so excited to go to the temple. Bursting. 

Our area boundaries changed and I'm so happy about it! We got an addition of so many less active members that I'm excited to help return to the gospel! It is also really fun because it reminds me of the good old days of shutgunning an area on Palawan which was one of my favorite times on my mission. Hi, I'm Dora. I like to explore. The Lord is blessing us so much, maybe even more than we deserve. Definitely more than we deserve. We are experiencing so many miracles and it blows my mind every day.

I am thankful for the opportunity to go the the temple semi-regularly. I am thankful for my calling as a Sister Trainer Leader and the opportunity I have to serve the sisters here. I'm thankful for the miracles I am witnessing in Pasay 1st Ward. I am thankful for Sister de Leon who is so Christlike and a great example to me. I'm thankful that I am healthy and able to serve the Lord with all my strength here in the Philippines. I'm thankful for my family who has been nothing but supportive of my mission from the start. I'm thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, that lived for me and set the perfect example for us all. I'm thankful that through His Atonement, He provided the way for us to overcome our weaknesses and sins and return to live with our Father in Heaven again. I'm thankful for this knowledge that I have been blessed with. I love you all and I love the Lord and I'm happy to be here.

Sister Mecham

"Whenever you're having your hardest day, thank the Lord."
                                                           -President Stucki

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Oh Yolanda
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Ashley Mecham
Nov 10 (3 days ago)

to me, Amanda, Austin, Elizabeth, Liza, Jamie, Kendra, Lindsey, Patrick, D, ryan.mecham
Buhay pa ako. I'm still alive. I'm sorry you were worried, family. I wasn't able to email last week because we had a crazy busy schedule and then the storm happened and I knew you would worry but there was nothing I could do. Sorry again. The storm was bad. Really bad. Super typhoon. But the center was in another area of the Philippines - not here in Manila. We only experienced strong winds and rain and were commanded to stay indoors. But Palawan was hit pretty hard. From what I've heard, no one was seriously injured there but there were homes that were completely destroyed. I'm not surprised by that, because there are many homes there that are built over the ocean and only made of bamboo. But there was enough notice in advance for everyone to evacuate. I still don't know the full gravity of the storm because we don't watch the news.. but please keep the Philippines in your prayers.
Man, I have so many things to tell you but I forgot them all. One thing I want to talk about is how our choices effect the lives of others. Example: there is a small island near Palawan called Coron. This story happened when I was still on Palawan. There are two elders there. They are isolated - they don't come to zone conference or zone meetings or anything and they have no supervision. So, it is very important that they are exactly obedient. Well, they weren't. They had to be emergency transferred off the island and one of the APs was transferred there so our zone leader was transferred to manila and became AP to replace him. This was bad because he was shotgunning an area on Palawan that was still weak and they had to close it again when he left. All because of the choices of one elder on Coron. Then, this story happened last week. Sister de Leon and I were lovin' life in our apartment that was conveniently located in the center of our area. Then, there were two sisters who were disobedient in a neighboring area. Sister de Leon and I have now moved into their tiny apartment to supervise their work. This new apartment is far from our area and we need to spend time daily to commute to and from our area. All because of the disobedience of two sisters. So, don't forget how everything you do does not only effect you, but everyone around you! But, I'm excited for the new challenge to impact the mission of these two sisters and to prove that we can still have a model area even with this extra obstacle. It's fun. 

Speaking of the new apartment. It is nice! and clean! But, TINY. Which is just perfect because I can reach my desk and my closet and the fridge without even getting out of bed! And the bathroom is just a two step walk away! So we're loving it living in Makati and serving in Pasay. hah. 

This last week was so awesome and tiring. We had transfer day on Wednesday and we had to spend the whole day helping Sister Stucki and teaching new missionaries in their orientation and it was real fun. But we woke up at 3:00 a.m. so we could get our studies done before we had to be there. Then on Thursday, we had MLC which is the best but we also woke up at 3:00 a.m. so we could still have time to proselyte after the meeting. It was totally worth it but I was so exhausted! And I know, it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. I don't have to do it again for another month! 

I have left the best part for last. Joshua and Gerald Samonte were baptized this last week! Even though they are teenagers, they are so prepared to receive the gospel. I gave them one of my Preach My Gospels and they have been studying it every day and preparing for their missions! They're so awesome. That is the picture that I have attached, the two hipster kids in the middle are Gerald and Joshua respectively. On the far left is Elias Samonte, their father. His baptism is scheduled for December because he needs time to completely repent from his problems with the word of wisdom. But he is so golden and will definitely be baptized next month. He used to be a pastor and served a mission for his church and so it's really fun to teach him because he was so many questions and is so open to learn! He's already read the book of mormon through and is halfway through Doctrine and Covenants. Such a boss. I'm so grateful to know people like this in my life. They're such an inspiration. 

I love love serving my mission. Even though I'm feeling more stress than ever before, I know I can do all the the Lord has commanded me because He is preparing the way for me. Also, maybe you noticed how weird my writing speech sounds. I've noticed too. I don't know how to fix it. Sorry. Hah. I love Tagalog. 

I'm safe. Don't worry about me if you don't hear from me. I promise, President Stucki will call immediately if anything happens to me. Don't stress. I love you!

The other picture I included is me and SISTER HUNT. The best mission nanay in the world. I got to see her one last time before SHE WENT HOME. Yeah, she's back in Australia now and I'll probably never see her again. Umiyak talaga ako. 

Sister Mecham
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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Espiritual na Sweldo
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Ashley Mecham
10:52 PM (18 hours ago)

to me, Amanda, Austin, Elizabeth, Liza, Jamie, Kendra, Lindsey, Patrick, D
Hey howdy hey!

Blerrrggg, I can't believe Ryan is off and alive in the MTC in the good ol' DR. Philipinos don't know where that is, but I still brag to them about it. He's going to be great.

Okay family, calm down, I went on exchanges with Sister Cooper this week. Tell her family that she's still alive and doing great. I'll send you a picture later, but you don't need to give her parents a copy because she's emailing one too.

Man, I'm just feelin' good. I'm loving my mission. JP Mayor was baptized last Saturday! I've attached a picture. Ignore the tree, I'm not sure how he made it in there. I'm so happy for this family! They've already started preparing for the temple next year and I'm so excited for them! JP totally cried at the baptism. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but he's a chubby man with a beard and he totally cried. He's so great. Did I tell you about how the minute we told him that wearing earrings is against the law of chastity, he took out his and threw them in the trash? Ang galing niya. He's going to be a great addition to the true church.

We have a few sure baptisms set up for November and we're so excited. It's the Samonte family, which is a father and 6 sons. One of the sons is already a member, Joyvin. We will be baptizing the father, Elias, and three of the sons, Jericho, Joshua and Jerald. They are so golden. Even though the sons are only 18, 16 and 15 respectively, they totally understand the doctrine and are so excited to be baptized. In Sunday school at church, the teacher asked, "Jericho, why do you think that wearing earrings for men is against the Law of Chastity?" (I don't know why that's a huge topic now in my email...) Jericho responds, "Because that's the way God wants it. It's a commandment, we don't have to question it." BAM. They're such an awesome family.  Not to mention they always buy us leche flan that is heavenly. huh?

Being a missionary is so awesome. It's so fun just being so bold to people and seeing the look on their face. Before, I used to be afraid to be bold because I didn't want to offend them. But I've seen on my mission how that is the only way and how it actually helps them better understand what we're teaching. We have this investigator, Gaudencio Simpao, who is awesome. But, he has a problem with word of wisdom. Once a week, his best friend comes over and gives him free alcohol and they drink. Gaudencio doesn't really want to drink, but he doesn't want to lose his friend. (Be aware that they are like 60 years old...) BUT, Sister de Leon and I found out what time he comes, so we came to meet him. We were a little late, so his friend was already a little tipsy, but we gave him a WOW pamphlet and shared how drinking is not good for the body that God gave him. They stopped drinking. Then, yesterday, we stopped by to talk to Tatay Simpao before his friend came over. We challenged him not to drink. He said he wasn't sure. But, we stopped by again later, and his friend wasn't there! He told him to leave! He didn't drink! It's awesome. He and his wife will be baptized in December.

We had an awesome experience last week! We met this man while we were grocery shopping last monday and he said we could come back to his home and teach his family. When we went there, he wasn't there, but we taught his wife who is awesome! After teaching about the apostasy, I asked said, "God doesn't want to his His children confused. What do you think he could do to eliminate this confusion?" Right when I said it, I wanted to take it back because I had no idea what crazy thing she could have said in response. But, she says, "Well, it seems like he should call another messenger, like a prophet, to guide the people again..." BAM. Perfect. That question came from the spirit and she totally understands the need for a Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It's election time here in the 'ppines and I'm not sure if I've told you but Filipinos are crazy about elections. There are one thousand people in the streets yelling and it's insane. Pray for me, it's scary outside. Hah. Love you all! Stay safe!

Sister Mecham

I've attached a picture of us at the baptism and one of Sister de Leon and I at the temple. Enjoy!
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A Day Late
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Ashley Mecham
Oct 14

to me, Amanda, Patrick, Liza, Lindsey, Jamie, Kendra, Elizabeth, Austin, D
Sorry about the late. We have TEMPLE DAY today so our p day was changed. We had interviews with president Stucki yesterday and let me tell you, interviews are so much different when you're a sister trainer leader. It's all about the other sisters and their problems and it's totally stressful! That's not completely true, but like I told you before, I never knew that so many missionaries have so many problems on their missions. For me, whenever there has been a problem with my companion or roommates or the work or stress or anything, I just dealt with it with my companion. But, now I have to teach sisters about getting along with companions and stress management and using preach my gospel to answer their own questions and it AWESOME. Hah. It's really fun, I'm happy to serve my sisters. MSH 2:17 I'm happy to serve my Lord.
This week has been great. We're finally getting the hang of doing back to back exchanges every week and it's become totally normal. It's also been such a blessing to us because we have just a little more motivation to be diligent because we want our sisters to be POOPED by the end of the day. And we're finding like crazy. It took us 30 minutes to walk a five minute walk because we literally have been talking to everyone and it's awesome. We're expected to have a model area which is especially stressful because president stucki said to us, "You are the four best sister missionaries we have in the mission." Which is not true but it motivates us to do all we can to become that so we can be an example to the mission. But don't worry about my stress because the church just came out with this awesome new book so we can teach our sisters how to better adjust to mission life so that will be awesome. Ramble ramble ramble sorry this email is boring.

The work is great! Did I tell you about JP? He is so golden. We got him as a referral from his wife who is a less active member but is returning. We taught him after he came to church two times and we set a baptismal date for October 26 which is so soon! His interview is in a week! He's totally ready though. He is going to be such a leader in the church. And they're so mayaman. They always feed us and always have real juice at their house. (In the philippines, 100% juice is like one million pesos.)

This is the Lord's work and I have no doubt that I'm in the right place. I'm so grateful for the support that I have from you all! Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Maybe I'll have more time and more to say next week! Take care!

Sister Mecham