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
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This is awkward...
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Ashley Mecham
Oct 6

to me, Amanda, Austin, Elizabeth, Liza, Jamie, Kendra, Lindsey, Patrick, D
I was definitely not finished with that email and I have no idea how it sent. So you get to hear my week: Part 2!

Temple tour: For my whole mission, I have always seen temple tour on the calendar but I couldn't very well hop on a plane and fly to Manila to attend. But this time I was there! The Manila temple is so beautiful. Temple tour is just what it sounds like, you tour around the outside of the temple on the temple grounds and missionaries are assigned to stations and teach about the temple and about how families can be together forever and it's awesome. Also, it's like a missionary reunion because the whole mission is there. It was weird because I have been exiled on a tiny island so I don't know anyone from Manila mission except the people who also served on Palawan and the missionaries from my batch. But it was fun! I saw Sister Ram, my MTC companions. She's really happy because her companion is Samoan. (If you remember, Sister Ram does not like white people...) Hah, I love that Sister. 

SO this week was hard hard hard. I'm still adjusting to missionary work in the city because it's completely different. It's always been really easy for me to find people to teach but the people here are so busy! It's stressful. We have resorted to tracting a few times (knocking on doors) which is not encouraged because it's not very effective. But all our plans fell through and none of our members were home and it was late and there was no one on the street so we had no choice. And always in Palawan that actually works really well. BUT, I got so many doors slammed in my face! I laughed because that's a typically missionary stereotype which I had never experienced... mostly because on Palawan they don't really have real doors... But, let me tell you, I know the Lord loves me and I know that this is His work because, even at the end or a hard week, he provided us with A GOLDEN REFERRAL! His name is JP and he will be baptized this month because he's already gone to church 2 times. We're so excited because it will also complete their family and they will be able to be sealed in the temple next year! Woooh!

Also, remember my Muslim from Palawan? Sister Fran told me that she comes to church weekly and has tons of friends there and is totally going to be baptized. Man, I'm so excited about it. I love love love LOVE being a missionary! 

I love you all, too. 

Sister Mecham
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Ashley Mecham
Oct 6

to me, Amanda, Patrick, Liza, Lindsey, Jamie, Kendra, Elizabeth, Austin, D
Answers muna:

1. I don't think I will have lasting effects from the pollution, but if so, worth it!
2. Manila is not still flooded from the typhoon, but every time it rains it floods. The deepest I've experienced is mid-calf only. 
3. Yes, I got all my luggage. Which is weird because now I just feel like I have too much stuff that I know I don't need because I've been without it for my whole mission. 
4. Ryan's farewell is not on the halfway point of my mission because that's a Wednesday! October 16 - Halfway mark. I cannot even believe it.

Letter na:

Aha! I've never been so stressed and so exhausted and so happy on my mission! I knew being an STL would be a lot of work, but WHOOEY it's a lot of work. We have to go on two exchanges every week, which means we do back-to-back exchanges in order to fit them in on the productive days of work. Then we have meetings - so many meetings. But, really, the most stressful part is we actually have to take care of the sisters! That is not something I entirely anticipated, but whenever their companionships are not getting along or their work is low or someone dies or anything, we deal with it. We get a call with a new problem at least once a day! Sisters are so needy! Hah, joke lang. I love love love all of our sisters and I feel so blessed to be able to serve them and help them and contribute to their mission experience. The only thing I still don't deal well with is consoling someone when they're crying... I've never been good at that...
So I went on my first exchange this last week. It was with Sister Jensen who is brand spankin' new and doesn't speak a lick of Tagalog and is tall and whiter than me. It was so fun. But I had to stay in our area... which I had been in for like 5 days... so, of course, I got lost. And I fell out of a jeepney. Don't worry, still alive. But I accidentally terrified poor Sister Jensen. 

I GOT TO GO TO TEMPLE TOURRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!
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two more
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Ashley Mecham
Sep 29

to me, Amanda, Austin, Patrick, Jamie, Lindsey, Liza, Elizabeth, Kendra
1. Me and my mom and my granddaughter. That's my trainer and the missionary that my trainee will be training. Check out those generations right there.
2. The sister trainer leaders of Manila mission. Sister Jacobsen, Sister Hunt ( my trainer), me and Sister de Leon


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Pictures Ulit
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Ashley Mecham
Sep 29

to me, Amanda, Austin, Patrick, Elizabeth, Liza, Jamie, Kendra, Lindsey, D
1. Be and my best friend Bearcat. 
2. We became more than friends.


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Pictures Only
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Ashley Mecham
Sep 29

to me, Amanda, Austin, Elizabeth, Liza, Jamie, Kendra, Lindsey, Patrick, D
1. Macmac the 17 ft. crocodile. hayahay lang.
2. This awesome tree that I did not climb.


NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.
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Aim High Pasay!
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Ashley Mecham
Sep 29

to me, Amanda, Austin, Elizabeth, Liza, Jamie, Kendra, Lindsey, Patrick, D
PASAY 1ST WARD YEAH! I've been assigned to the best ward in the mission. That's not an exaggeration, everyone in Manila wants to be assigned here. Man, I'm so lucky. 

BUT, it's so so rough adjusting to life in the city. My nose and my throat always hurt from the pollution. And my feet get itchy from the flooding which is constant. And there's apparently this disease you can get from the rat urine here so we have to be super careful when we walk in flood water. It's delicious! 

EVEN BIGGER BUT, I'm so so happy. Sister de Leon is the best companion ever. The people here are awesome, especially the ward. Working in a ward is so so different. It's really like we're helping them with the work instead of trying to get them to help us. It's awesome. Let me tell you about Bishop Rifarial's ward mission plan. So he will be giving two toy sheep to every family. One white and one black. Then a toy shepard at the church. So it's like a game, if you refer your friend to the missionaries, and you fellowship them and they get baptized, you get to put your white sheep with the shepard. If you help to reactivate a less active member and they go through the temple, you get to put your black sheep with the shepard. It's so awesome and the ward is so excited to take part in it! 

Sister trainer leader business: So basically the mission is split in half. Me and Sister de Leon are over half the sister in the mission. We are in charge of their happiness. Hah, sort of. We go on exchanges with them and help them train and learn and grow and we make sure they're loving their mission. We also have a lot of meetings to attend and we pretty much just do whatever Sister Stucki tells us to and it's a lot of work. We also have to make sure our area is an example for the other missionaries, which means we gotta keep up the work there too. Whooo. We're busy. But it's so so fun. I'm lovin' it. Also, here's the big news... the PALAWAN sisters are under our jurisdiction, which means.... I'm going back! We are so excited but we don't know when yet.

Anyway, I have attached the pictures that wouldn't load last week because Palawan doesn't have real internet. 

1. The boardwalk on Palawan
2. My investigators on Palawan

Love you all! Stay safe. Remember who you are. Etc.

Sister Mecham


NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.
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