Humang semana!!

Kumusta pamilya?!?! How are you doing this week? Every family represented themselves via writing this week so I know that all is well. I am so excited to hear about Zach's assignment in the next few days. PLEASE keep me updated! I am so happy for everyone!

Oo, gidawat nako ang akong flight plans!!! Here they are:

(13 Mar) Delta 4657 SLC-SF Departs 4:49pm, arrives 5:56 pm

(14 Mar) Cathay Pacific Airways 873 SF-HK 1:05 am, arrives 6:45 am on 15 March

(15 Mar) Cathay Pacific Airways 921 HK-Cebu 9:05 am, arrives 11:45 am

Can anybody say JET LAG?! Haha. Oh goodness jolly, I am excited. EXCITED KO!!!!

I've had a fantastic week here at the MTC. Guess who came to Devotional last Tuesday? THE Jeffrey R. Holland!! It was amazing. His talk was similar to his "Missions are Forever" talk and I LOVED it. I sang in the choir and I knew somebody big was coming because we were singing "Come thou Fount" He talked a lot about how we are our first converts and how we must be converted before we can convert others. He also talked about how we shouldn't come back the same person we were before our missions. Hearing him speak really helps me remember how important missionary work is and how much I need to do better. He is an amazing man.

Then on Sunday Alex Boye (you know...the black guy from the MoTab) came! And they chose me and my companion to sit on the front row (I know, I am so blessed) It was so great and definitely the funniest and most entertaining thing to ever happen at the MTC. If you ever have a chance to go to one of his firesides, GO. He is a convert to the church and he talked about how we will always be special to those people that we convert...how they will always remember us. He brought me to tears because I am so excited to bring the gospel to the people of the Philippines.

Our english fast went alright. I feel like my Cebuano is pretty good although I know it's defnitely NOT perfect. I loved Mom's comment about how she is happy she got to learn Spanish and not some crazy language. Haha. I guess it's been a huge testimony builder for me. Learning this language has been a huge humbling experience. I know I won't really be able to use it a lot when I get back....especially because it's not even a written language. But that's not why I'm on my mission. I'm here because others deserve to hear the gospel in their native tongue. That is so special. I know everything I do while I'm here is going to help me during those 16 months and not much after the mission and I am 100% okay with that. That's how true the gospel is! And mom, you are right, the Cebuano Book of Mormon IS huge. Have you looked at the length of some of the words? It's crazy. Supposedly it is hard to get people to read it because it is pretty deep- who ever translated it used deep words that most of them don't understand. And, most people learn how to read Tagalog and so we have to teach them how to read Cebuano if they don't already know how. It's a good thing I love to teach!

Sister T and I are still doing wonderfully. We had a few bumps on the road but she has been way more open with me lately which has helped tremendously. She is such a great friend and source of strength to me. I love her. You know what? Chances are pretty high that I will have all brown companions! I am so excited!!! Y'all might have to help me know how to talk with white girls when I get back, haha.

I just want to let you all know how much I love you. Naa ko'y sa pinakamaayo pamilya. I just think the world of all of you. I hope you all know that I think of you often and pray for you each individually. While I've been here at the MTC I have gained an even stronger testimony of prayer. The Lord's hand is involved in our family. Through prayer other people's lives can be changed. I love the BD definition of prayer. You should go read it, like NOW. Prayer is the act of bring our will and the Lord's will in harmony with each other. The Lord is wanting to bless us but it is conditional on us asking for it. One of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon is about Enos. One day he was out hunting and his "soul hungered". So he kneeled down and prayed all day and night. The Lord then blessed him because of his exceeding faith in Jesus Christ. What are your prayers like? Is your soul hungry? I know through faith in Jesus Christ that Heavenly Father will bless us with anything we may need. Nasayud ko nga pinaagi sa hugot nga pagtuo ni Jesukristo nga ang Langitnong Amahan makapanalagin kanato uban sa kada butang. Our family has witnessed a miracle these past few weeks. I know that prayer played an essential part in it. Importante ang pag-ampo!

So yeah, the big day is almost here. We are all getting pretty antcy....but it's time to buckle down and make this last week count!!

Also, Dad...did the new missionaries try the "solimente los guapos" line on you? haha! I hope they all showed you the pictures we took. Esp. Sister Ramos. Don't worry Mom, she took it after I had taken off my makeup. I'm not homely. Well...not yet, haha.....

Oh, and this week can everybody just email me? I don't know if I'll get the mail in time through dearelder...atleast if you write me on Sunday night. I'll check my email before I head out next week. BAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, well I think you're all really good looking, but PLEASE don't let that get to your head, okay? Thanks for not making me the orphan missionary. Nagpassalamat ko kaninyo.

Love you all,

Sister Nicole Trayner