Wa na ang kuto!

Family and Friends,

It is another beautiful (and HOT) day here in the Philippines and I am happy to be emailing all of you again! In case you are wondering what the subject line means, it means "THE LICE IS NO LONGER!!" haha yes, my kind companion went through and picked out every single lice egg. Haha, so sad but maybe y'all can send her an email of appreciation? Haha, you really should. Here's her email: de-tiare.vui@myldsmail.net!!

Okay I am so glad no one gave any spoilers about conference because I am SOOOO excited. Yes we still have to wait until Saturday but I am excited. Supposedly we won't have to go all the way to Tagbilaran to watch it because the District will give a DVD to all of the branches that are far away. But it's still kind of fishy from what we heard because last October 2012 Conference the branches were given the DVDs for April 2012. Haha, soooo bad. The sad part? None of the members realized until after. BUT YES I AM SO EXCITED. General Conference is Christmas for missionaries! 

We had a great week! I really LOVE this area. We taught a really good lesson to one of our less actives, Brother Reymundo. He is 20ish and his father just recently died. He is also the leader of the local bad boys "mga bugoy" The death of his father obviously had an effect on him and so we were able to share with him on Saturday night. We shared Alma 34:32 with him about preparing to meet God. Then he started to express how hard it would be for him to do what is right. As we taught him I kept asking him, Brother Reymundo, what is more important? Your family or your friends? Jesus Christ or your friends? Temporal happiness or eternal happiness? He was able to say what was more important to him (yes he chose all of the right answers) but then he just kept making excuses. It was so sad to see. He is so torn- he wants to do what is right but he feels so trapped by his "barkada" (group of friends) After we shared with Reymundo I was reminded about how Satan will do all that he can to help us feel that it's just too hard to change or to repent. That it is impossible. We were happy to see Reymundo come to church on Sunday and the Young single adults are also doing a great job in fellowshipping him.

I forgot to tell you all that we have a Muslim investigator. Crazy, right? she is the sister of the branch president's wife and it's been a great experience to teach her from the very beginning- in very simple ways- about God our Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. I guess I just always took it for granted, knowing who Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are. She is doing great (her name is Petronia) and she is even saying her prayers and reading her Book of Mormon. We are excited for her!

THE BEST NEWS OF THIS WEEK.

I FINISHED THE BOOK OF MORMON! Oh, it is sooooo good! I believe this to be my 3rd time to read the Book of Mormon here on my mission. I can't even express how much I love that book. I am so grateful for the time I have been given to study and apply the Book of Mormon to my life. (Remember Mom when I asked you 'What am I supposed to study for one hour each day?!?!' ) I hope that you are all taking time each day to feast upon the words of Christ. I feel so bad for the times before my mission that my Book of Mormon just sat pretty on my desk. I guess I just didn't realize how precious and valuable it is! It may be just a small book but I know it is the most precious possession I have.

Anyway things are going great here. We have water in the mornings and I am lice-free....for now! I love my mission. I am so grateful I made this decision. Best thing I've ever done. I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to find true happiness and meaning in our lives. Whatever it may be that we need to work out in our lives, let us do it NOW. I love you, family. I think of you all often and I don't know why I was so blessed to be sent to the best family ever. I hope you all know I will do my best so that we can be together forever. Now all of you just need to do your part. It's not the Celestial Kingdom if we aren't all there :)

I LOVE YOU ALL!!! ajo ajo
Seesta Trrayneerrrr 
(that's the pronunciation of Filipino!)