Alma 17:23

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Ashley Mecham	Jan 19 (1 day ago)
to me, Amanda, Austin, Elizabeth, Liza, Jamie, Kendra, Lindsey, Patrick, D, Ryan

"Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die."

That's how I'm feeling, sorry if I never come home!

This week was the best! Sister Tuia and I are experiencing so many miracles.

For example, we received a referral from the elders a few weeks ago. We tried so hard to find the address, but no one knew where it was. Then, the other day, in our planning, I really felt like we should try again to find it the next day. So we did. We found someone who knew where it was. They led us down some sketchy stairs to a door. When you open the door, there just a tunnel that leads somewhere underground. And it's pitch black. And of course I have to do a nice hunch walk in order to fit in the tunnel. Then it leads to a place that is not pitch black, but still a tunnel. But the ground changes from dirt to 2x4 bridges over a filthy river. And there are TONS of houses down there. I felt like I entered into a new world. Sister Tuia was terrified, but I was used to walking on the little bridges because of Palawan. We found the house of the referral. Then, for some reason, I really felt like we should keep walking down the bridge tunnel. Finally, it came to the end, about half a mile underground. And there was a house. And there was a man and his wife and his seven children sitting in it doing nothing. They invited us in. The husband, Candido, and his wife, Rosilyn, are legally married (which is rare). We taught them the message of the restoration and they all accepted a baptismal date for February. The best part is, THEY UNDERSTAND. They really understood the message. And, when we returned the next day, they had read a huge chunk of the Book of Mormon and are really praying to find out if it's true. They will be coming to church this week. All nine of them. We have really been praying to find investigators that will progress in the gospel, especially potential priesthood holders and families. The Lord is showering down blessing on our area.

Oh, there was another point to that story. On the way out of the tunnel (because, of course, there is only one way out - back the way we came_, Sister Tuia was so happy to see the light at the end of the tunnel that she started sprinting and in my laughter and distracted walking I hit my head on something SO HARD and actually got a mild concussion. But really, I'm okay. It was worth finding that family.

Another quicker miracle, SNOOKIE AND MEL BALANGKIT WILL BE BAPTIZED ON FEBRUARY 15. They are finally ready to have an interview with President Stucki and they chose their date for the 15th. I nearly cried with joy. They are the cutest family of all time.

That's about it for time. I love you all. Don't worry about me here. I'm the happiest I've ever been even though my head aches now. Hah, I passed the one year mark, but it just means I'm sprinting even faster! I love the Lord and I love His work.

'di pa ako uuwi

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Ashley Mecham	Jan 12 (8 days ago)
to me, Amanda, Austin, Elizabeth, Liza, Jamie, Kendra, Lindsey, Patrick, D, Ryan

Dear Family,

This week was tired. We had so so many meetings. And temple day! But we only had one full day of work the whole week. But it was still a good week. We found some golden investigators and we're super excited.

This week while I was on an exchange with Sister Agreda, we were teaching someone on the street when out of no where a lady comes up and says she's a talent scout and wants me to be in a commercial. I said no. She was very persistent. I still said no.

This morning they made me go get finger printed for my exit visa. I'm not coming home yet, but it's weird. This week I'll reach my 1 year mark on my mission. That doesn't seem like real life.

This morning I was begging the AP to convince President Stucki that I need to train again. He said it isn't going to happen. I think he's lying.

You know what's a good talk from this last conference? "Look Ahead and Believe" by Edward Dube. I read it when I was halfway. I read it this morning. Coincidence? No.

One of the sisters we went on exchanges with recently found out she has lice. I slept in her bed. I don't think I inherited them, but I'll keep you updated.

I almost forgot! I got your package, mom! You are the best best best mom in the whole world! The clothes are the best and just what I needed. And Elder Mecham is pogi naman! Thank you so much! Also, I'm not really sure how to use the oil things you sent...

I'm not feeling super well, so forgive me for the strange email! I love you! Be safe.

Sister Mecham

Nagpunta kami sa templo, kasi...

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Ashley Mecham	Jan 7 (13 days ago)
to me, Amanda, Austin, Elizabeth, Jamie, Kendra, Lindsey, Patrick, D, Ryan, Liza

Sorry for a late email. We had the opportunity to go to the temple earlier today which means they switched pday to tuesday. I don't want to talk about spelling or punctuation or grammar right now because I have no time but I have to get these things out there:

New Years Eve is crazy town here, drunk people with SO MANY HUGE FIREWORKS. Or so I hear. We were thankfully sentenced to time in our apartment by 6pm, thankfully because it was seriously crazy town outside. Sister Tuia and Sister Wemhoner and Sister Belardo and I cooked a huge feast and it was awesome. I made lumpia which are these delicious little deep fried bits of heaven. I neither saw nor heard fireworks because our apartment has no windows. Apparently it was awesome and huge. Then we were in bed but 10:30 but awoken and midnight by the loudest noises I've ever heard, even though our apartment is like a soundproof bunker. Only one of our investigators was wounded as she saved her baby from a wayward firework. The baby was unharmed. New Years day was such a rough day of work because everyone was still drunk or sleeping from being drunk or went on vacation because it's too crazy in Manila for this holiday. But we found a lot of new people to teach, only about half of which were drunk. Hah. 

The best thing that happened this week was about Elias Samonte. We've been cracking down on him because he isn't making much lasting progress on his quitting of smoking. He'll quit for like a few days and then smoke like 16 cigarettes and it's nuts. But, at church on Sunday, he told me, "Gusto kong lumayo so inyo pero parang... hindi ko kaya..." Which basically means that he doesn't want to be taught or come to church but he like physically can't stay away. I laughed in his face. We were fasting for him on Sunday and when he didn't show up to church I was crushed. But he was just late. Then he told me about how he was really not planning on coming to church that day but then, as he was cooking, he was just really rushing and he didn't know why and then somehow he changed his clothes and headed to church. It was hilarious. He like really didn't want to come but the Lord basically grabbed him by the collar and dragged him there. It was a great story. Then he bore his testimony in Sacrament meeting and it was so powerful. He's such a gem. Hopefully he'll be baptized in February. 

That's all the miracles I have time for. Love you all. Stay safe ha.

Sister Mecham