Hello, my family and friends! Thank you dearly for your kind words and birthday wishes. It has been a great week, and we have had many things happen! We celebrated my 11th month mark on May 24th, we had our final interview with President Tanner, we hiked up to Pagsa - teaching the Moral family, we returned to Nora -a former investigator and were able to teach her again with her 26 year old daughter, Sister Schroeder is amazing and has officially graduated from her 12 weeks! All of these and many more! My birthday was a very happy one! We celebrated with a filipino style layer cake, with mangos, bananas, graham crackers, sugar and cream (1). And one highlight of our week was absolutely the Galaan family. We finally learned where their new home is, and as you can see from the picture (2), we had quite an adventure getting there... Enough to stop and take pictures! Haha! :-) They are really wonderful. Amelia, with her sons, Gino, Mitchy and Patrick are in the other picture (3). We then invited their whole family to join us in a Family Home Evening, to build trust with them. Gabriel, Amelia's husband works in Tagbilaran and comes home on the weekends only. It was very successful and we hope to see miracles happen for them as they accept the gospel of Jesus Christ! The transfer calls yesterday brought a nice surprise! I had no doubt that I would stay in Valencia with Sister Schroeder to do her follow-up training, and continue the work here in this beautiful part of the Lord's vineyard. But it turns out that the Lord needs me in Cebu again, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I have been called to serve in the Maribago area, serving as a Sister Training Leader there with Sister Mumu! We leave again for Cebu tomorrow morning. All I keep repeating is, "Be not afraid, only believe". It is all that we can do! I love you all! Thank you for your love and support. Mosalig sa Ginoo! Love always, Sister Stanley |
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Hello, my family and friends!
Another great week in paradise! We have Stake Conference here in Tagbilaran this weekend, so we are looking forward to gathering here as as stake! This week, we got caught up in trying to follow up on our new investigators, and consequently forgot to spend much time tracting and asking for referrals. Those are our Zone implementations, and I realize now more that before that these surely are inspired implementations. The leaders here in Valencia are great. It is said that Valencia is a stereotypically difficult area, but they handle their challenges with grace. They well by example, and have natural Christ-like leadership abilities. Our Sister Training Leaders, Sister Clave and Sister Bolo work tirelessly to serve us as their sisters and to progress their area. This week we had splits and worked in their area. Sister Bolo really taught me the importance of sincere, faith filled prayers. I love them! We are doing well here in Valencia. We have continued to work with Jessa (in the picture, with many of her young sisters and cousins who listened to the lesson), Wilma and George - they are still new, but we feel that they are the Lord's elect. Sister Schroeder and I have made goals, and even today we have seen miracles in our exact obedience to the implementations of our Zone, to find one soul a day by tracting and being prepared always to share this glorious message. Have another great week in paradise! I love you all! Mosalig sa Ginoo! Love, Sister Stanley Hello, hello! We are emailing today with permission from our Zone Leaders because every internet shop we knew of was closed yesterday due to the elections. It is not much time, so here is a quick update. Thank you very much for the time we had to Skype, I am always grateful to hear from you. And I feel that my birthday was yesterday because that was the best present I could have asked for! I am happily filled with inspiration and encouragement! Happy Mother's Day!
1) Daisy, Nanay Carmen and I. Daisy came to church with her children! A miracle! 2) Sister Schroeder and I in Adlawan 3) Sister Schroeder, Sister Raoiroi, Sister Robles (we live in the same balay) and I at the home of Bishop Maestrado and their cute puppy.. :-) Sorry, short and sweet! I love you! I will talk to you soon! Love always, Sister Stanley Hello, my family and friends,
We have successfully finished another week and I can hardly believe that it is May! It has been summer here since the beginning of April, and I am sorry to hear that it is so cold in Utah. Hopefully you are each keeping warm. If I could, I would send some heat to you! :-) It is so hot here. There is a thermometer on my alarm clock, and even at night, it has not gone below 90 degrees. We have had a great week here in Valencia. The initial excitement of the transfer has settled and we are a bit stressed, but do not worry, it is the healthy kind of stress. We really want this area in Valencia to progress, and we are doing what we can to do so. Sister Schroeder is amazing. We have been really enjoying talking in English and comparing notes on our transition to the Philippines. She has an incredibly strong testimony, and has natural leadership abilities. She is also humble and grateful! She accepts my service and always says thank you. It really is the simple things that make me happy! We spent Wednesday in our farthest area, Pagsa. It was my first time and our kind friend Carmen worked with us. And so many things happen each day, that I am struggling to remember highlights to share. Maybe I should have brought my journal today! Thank you for you patience! We have been focusing on praying in faith. Even now, we have seen many little miracles. We will continue forward in faith! Have a great week! Happy Mother's Day! I love you! Love, Sister Stanley Hello, to my family and friends!
Another wonderful week in paradise! It has been a quick and nearly painless adjustment for me in this new area of the Lord's vineyard. Sister Schroeder is an amazing missionary and is so patient with me as she has been leading the area for these past few days. She has earned my trust and we are working to build the trust and confidence of the ward. I finally feel that I know enough to begin leading and helping her, and I am grateful. It has only been a short time since my last email, and again, so much has happened. We spent much time getting acquainted with the area, our investigators, and the ward members. As we walked far past Guindiguitan into Abihid, not having much success, these two women came walking past, and greeted us with very friendly smiles. We began to talk, introducing ourselves and our purpose. They are 19 and 20 years old, and it was so nice to speak with them, instantly becoming friends. We will be returning to their homes later this week to teach them, and hopefully their families, the first lesson. The picture is of us, Sister Schroeder and I, Mae Grace and Wilma. The second picture is us on the beach just outside of our balay. We live on the coast, so every morning, we walk along the beach for fresh air and exercise. What a wonderful tender mercy! The third picture is of us riding down the highway on the way to our lesson this morning. We ride on what is called a "Rela". They are painted great colors, and is basically a motorcycle with extra seats attached to the back. It costs 8-10 pesos and Sister Schroeder and I usually sing hymns the whole time because it is so loud! She has the voice of an angel! That is the update for this week! Thank you for your patience and faith. I love you! Look for tender mercies each day, the evidence of the love of the Lord for us. Thank you! Have a great week! Mosalig sa Ginoo! Sister Stanley Hello, my dear family and friends!
It has been about a week and a half and so much has happened. I am not sure where to start, but with my heart full of gratitude. Here I am in Valencia, Bohol sitting with my companion, in a small, quiet computer shop on the coast, overlooking the sea. I honestly cannot believe the amazing tender mercies that we have experienced here so far. This is quite possibly the most beautiful place that I have ever seen, and I get to enjoy it with my new, very kind companion, Sister Schroeder. On Tuesday, we received news of transfers and although I will sure miss Lapu Lapu, my wonderful companion Sister Nalawas and our very diligent friend and ward missionary, Mary Lou, I feel only peace at these changes. I have been trusted to complete the training of Sister Schroeder and I believe that she has come "pre-trained". Her courage in teaching and speaking her Cebuano, and her talent in telling stories and letting people feel of her unconditional love, are only a few of the wonderful things that I have seen in her so far as we have been together today. She is from Ogden, Utah and attended BYU-Idaho as well, although we have only met today. I am so happy to be here, to serve her and to teach her all that I have learned this far, with another great opportunity to learn and grow! I feel uplifted and inspired as well, with the privilege that I had to attend the Trainer's Conference with President and Sister Tanner, only a few months until they return home in July. They are so wise and wonderful! As well, on my way to Valencia, I stayed over night with Sister Lappay and Sister Mendoza, my trainer and follow-up trainer - now companions as Sister Training Leaders in Tagbilaran. Wow. Tender mercies without limit! I am so grateful! Thank you each for your faith, your hope, your love and your prayers in my behalf. We will say with confidence, come what may, and love it! Please, where ever you are, and where ever life takes you, enjoy this wonderful journey. Mosalig sa Ginoo! Love always, Sister Stanley Dear family and friends,
Hello! I hope and pray that all is well for each of you! We had a wonderful week, full of many learning experiences! We were able to enjoy a surprise Zone Temple Trip, Zone Training Meeting, and General Conference. It is surely amazing at the amount of peace that enters our lives as we are gathered together, unified in purpose to learn and apply the messages of our prophet, apostles and leaders. I have been impressed at the simple promptings that I have received, and the gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit. The ultimate message to me during this conference is that I must focus on the hope that I have in Christ. Our journey towards perfection is never easy, but as we continue in faith, helping others along the way, all that we can do is enjoy each moment. All is well, here in Lapu Lapu! Sister Nalawas and I are so happy together, seeing the positive in every situation. Her confidence and skill in Cebuano and in teaching is improving, I think in English as well. She is such a wonderful, Christ-like companion. We are happy because Girlie Ann and our new investigators Shaira and Mirasol are progressing. Truly the work of the Lord. We are working as well with new Less Actives, the same as the advice from President Tanner from the Zone Training Meeting. We are looking forward as well to the Zone Conference on Friday! With these many wonderful experiences, my heart was lightened with the counsel of Elder Holland, to retain the peace and hope that we have received, to keep moving forward, and to continue in faith. As well, by always standing in holy places. Walk tall! Keep believing! Mosalig sa Ginoo! Thank you! I love you! Love always, Sister Stanley 1) Mirasol, meaning Sunflower. :-) 2) Lapu Lapu Zone Temple Trip Hello, my dear friends and family! Thank you dearly for the birthday greetings to Sister Nalawas, it was a great surprise to her. I could see this morning, that as we began our preparation day, she was hoping and praying that someone would remember her birthday. To her great surprise, there were many messages in her email inbox! About ten from you, and I am very grateful. The love you show to her, directly translates to me, and I feel it all the way across several continents. Thank you! This weekend, we enjoyed exchanges with our Sister Training Leaders, the birthday of Sister Nalawas, the General Women's Session, and we are seeing progress in our area. We sure love our friends here in Lapu Lapu! Another great week in paradise! A miracle occurred yesterday, when five of our friends investigating the church, came for themselves to church to worship. A great leap of their faith centered in Jesus Christ and we are so grateful. Girlie Ann, a mother of two, living and working here in Lapu Lapu to provide for her children living far away. It is amazing how much courage she has. We arrived early to her home on Sunday morning to travel together to the church and she was all ready. As well, it being Fast Sunday, she amazingly stood and shared her testimony and even sang an inspiring song. At that point, I was so surprised and embarrassed for her, my cheeks turned red, and I fervently prayed, hoping to do and react as Jesus would. I have never before seen someone sing during testimony meeting, and I am not sure that it is appropriate. But all was well, and I believe it did strengthen her testimony by sharing with us. :-) Angel, was scheduled to return to her home in Negros after her graduation, not being able to continue her baptism, but by the will of the Lord, I am sure, she is staying here in Lapu Lapu! She has come to church two weeks in a row is more ready each day for her baptism. Annabelle, one miracle as well. She came to church and is someone who really needs the gospel of Jesus Christ. Her desire to be baptized and follow the example of Jesus Christ is unmatched. (So much, that she thought that in order to be baptized, she has to read the four standard works, and was willing to do so! Imagine that faith! She was beaming with joy when we explained what was really required and invited her to baptism.) Well, my time is short, but I want to thank you again for the prayers of comfort and protection for us here as missionaries. I feel of your love! I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He lives today. He will walk with us as we trust in Him and obey His commandments! Mosalig sa Ginoo! Enjoy the journey! Love, Sister Stanley 1) Sister Nalawas and I, Girlie Ann and Mary Lou 2) Annabelle and I Hello, my family and friends!
It has been such a wonderful Easter Week here in the Philippines, and we have seen many miracles. I hope that each of you got to watch the Hallelujah video about the significance of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We spent all week handing out small cards with a picture of Jesus Christ and the website, teaching, testifying and inviting many people to learn more. Many miracles have come as a result. This is truly the work of the Lord! They certainly have different traditions here. Because of the dense Catholic population, they celebrate Holy Week. One tradition is to eat no meat, a form of cleansing. So three or four times on Thursday, we ate what is called Bignignit. A sweet rice soup with coconut milk, ube (violet sweet potato), camotes, bananas, and small balls of jello. A funny looking soup, I wish that I took a picture. It is traditional even in the Mormon families to eat near Easter! The picture attached is the sisters in the Eyas family, one miracle as a result of the Hallelujah video, and following the Spirit. Sister Nalawas and I met them, actually a few weeks ago, but on Saturday in the evening, we finally got to teach them! We trust that with time, the Lord will continue to prepare their hearts and the hearts of their parents through the Spirit. It is true, as said in DC 1:20-23, "But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world; That faith also might increase in the earth; That mine everlasting covenant might be established; That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers." I know that this is the work of the Lord, and that as we exercise our faith and trust in Him, miracles will follow. We are weak and simple beings, but with the help of the Lord, can become great. Thank you! Have a wonderful week! Much love, Sister Stanley And... I have a huge favor to ask each of you, my family and friends. This coming Saturday, April 2nd is 20th birthday of Sister Nalawas. It would absolutely make her day to receive birthday greetings to her email. Especially, because of the location of her home, she has never received any emails from her family. Only from friends here in the mission. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Her email is [email protected]. :-) |
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