23

People from the Land That I Love!!!!


Hello family!! And Happy Fourth of July from the Philippines! Yes, this morning in companionship study I made my companion (yes she is Filipina) sing God Bless America....it was so beautiful. And of course it was me singing a solo as she is Filipina and does not know our patriotic songs. I love America! It is a land of comfort, and land of yummy food, and land of freedom!

Anyway. My birthday here was GREAT. We went to Toledo for Zone Interviews so I got to spend most of the day with fellow missionaries and my two favorites, President and Sister Schmutz. It was so great. And to make it even better, the APs brought my packages so during our down time I opened my birthday presents with Sister Schmutz. It was great. Thanks for the packages Mom!!
Then after interviews we were in a rush to get to our baptism...and guess who was able to attend? The Schmutzs! (how to pluralize their last name??) It was so great. Everything turned out so fantastically well. President was able to give his testimony and the people in our Branch were SOOOOOOOOO excited to see him. Mission presidents here are like celebrities, fyi. It was so great! Then of course we partied. I love Balamban Branch, they are the best! They had a cake made for me and also they had tons of food and drinks. President and Sister Schmutz also were able to participate! I had the best 23rd birthday.

I am just so happy right now thinking about Brother Wilson. He received the Aaronic Priesthood on Sunday and I am so so so happy for him and his family. They are just glowing right now and extremely excited to prepare for the temple. The baptism went so well and Brother Wilson's testimony was so wonderful. He is going to make such an impact on the church here in the Philippines!

We are still working hard with those hard-headed Less-Actives which means teaching LOTS of lessons about Sabbath Day and Word of Wisdom. I never really thought as missionary we'd have so much authority while teaching the commandments but we do. As my cute companion says "kasugoan is kasugoan" ="commandment is commandment"

Things are going great here. Sometimes I feel like I've been gone forever and still have forever to go, but I have learned so much. Missionary work is hard work but it is rewarding. I am learning to love it more and more each day.

I have a favor to ask Rachel, Brittney, or Megan...if ever your RS is looking for service opportunities it would be so great if they could make those little folder puzzle things that Mercedes has...with Church pictures and then the  velcro puzzle pieces...do you know what I am talking about? The kids here have nothing to play with and I think it would be so fun to be able to give them to the kids to help them learn about the gospel! So if you are ever looking for a service project think of me here in the Philippines :)

Anyway thank you for your support and love and thanks to all of you who wrote me! I love you all. Next week we will be in Cebu City at the temple :) And the next week...ay, I could transfer :(

Love you all
Sister Trayner