Balambantastic

Family,

Kumusta mo? Ok ra ko dire sa Philippinas! Salamat to all of you who had the chance to write me! And especially to those who remembered that it is indeed my birthday this Saturday. Thanks :)

First, I have been receiving letters from my friends...and I guess my blog hasn't been updated since March? Can someone please follow-up with Rachel and make sure she updates it? Haha...but really though. My friends want to know what is going on!

Let's see....so it's been kind of rainy which means it actually hasn't been blazing hot here in Balamban. I am very grateful for the rain here! Also, the old men that sit on a bench that we pass about 200 times everyday mentioned that I am looking slimmer. So that is also good news. And my favorite shoe (yes, they are tevas) was stolen by a dog last week...he only took one....was discovered 3 days later in a gathering of banana trees. I was so very, very relieved! I don't think I can survive the rest of my mission without those bad boys. And boy are they stylin'....

We have a baptism this Saturday and I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!! It's about darn time I have my first baptism (sorry, Nate...I know you probably waited forever for your first) Brother Wilson Ganigan is going to be such a great member. He is so excited to learn about the gospel and I am so happy to know he is a gospel convert. He is awesome. We had an amazing lesson yesterday with his family about the Priesthood and I am the happiest for them. The gospel is such a blessing!

My patience is being tried with those darn Less-Actives. And with all of the times we have to teach and reteach the Sabbath Day. I am grateful to have an awesome companion who is so diligent and has so much faith in these people. In your 3rd transfer it's just hard to believe people will actually progress....

Thank you all for your love and prayers. Here on my mission I have come to realize how important families are and how incredibly blessed I am. We have an awesome family (I'll stop there before I get homesick!) I am glad to hear that things are going well for everyone...in spite of Nate's scare this week....I know that this Church is true!! It is through the gospel of Jesus Christ that we are able to find true happiness and peace in this life and in the life to come.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!
Nicole

PS. Happy happy happy birthday to my dearest Mercedes Nicole! I hope she has a great day and let her know that her aunt Nicole is thinking of her!!!