. . . slowly rising

Hello Family!
     Thank you all for your e-mails and your words of encouragement. I always am overwhelmed with gratitude for such a great family who supports me and loves me so much. I couldn't have been sent to a better family.

     The other day we ran into the cutest 8 year old girl. She actually asked us to come with her to her house so we could share with her and her mom. So we followed her over close by the beach, going through the unknown, stepping over barbed wire until we got to this cute little bamboo hut in the middle of nowhere. Anyway she was just so cute, and she and her mom seem interested. But her mom said that her husband doesn't want them to go to church because they're Catholic (not that they go to church or anything). Then we found out the real problem was the huge stack of beer bottles that Brother doesn't want to give up. But anyways I was talking to this cute little girl Rasel, and she's the only girl of five. I told her I was the only girl of four, and she got all serious and asked me if I ever wished I could just have a sister. haha It was the cutest thing ever. And I reassured her that when you're little, it might be a pain living with all boys, but it's all worth it when you're older:) haha.
     I don't have a whole lot to tell you about this week actually. We're just trudging right along. It will be interesting actually what happens this week because kids are going back to school this week and the next. So we'll see how things change and who we can get to work with us and such.

     Oh but there was one thing that happened this last week that was such a blessing. Maryjane, our investigator (one of the three sisters-in-law), is so ready to be baptized and just understands everything so well and has a testimony. But her one concern is that she wants to wait for her husband to get baptized with her and her son. Well her husband Nic is always working, and every time we've tried to teach him, he's been gone or busy. Well this last week they moved... surprise, surprise another investigator moving. But this time just to another place in our area. When we went to their house, there was Nic, and he actually came and sat and listened to our lesson. We were able to teach a neat lesson about families. Then we returned last night, and to our surprise he was there again, and we taught him again and were able to set a baptismal date for all three of them to get baptized in July which is just a huge turn around for Maryjane's husband. So as long as we can continue to teach brother, we'll be able to help their whole family come unto Christ. Man we were just so excited for that. I know it wasn't an accident that they moved back to their own home because there just wasn't a chance to teach him before. The Lord is working with this family, and I'm so excited to be there as an instrument in his hand! So that was probably the most exciting thing that happened this week.

     We had a branch FHE Friday night which was fun. They decided they want to do that once a month for the branch to grow closer together and hopefully get some Less Actives and Investigators there so they have a chance to get to know them. We also had a couple situations this last week where some less active sisters just broke down to us in tears because they were experiencing some really hard times in their lives. We were able to share with them about the atonement, and we gave them a copy of the talk Elder Bednar gave in this last month’s Ensign about the Atonement that is SO good. If you haven't read it yet, you should read it! And I just love teaching about the atonement especially with less active members because they understand it, they just need to be reminded of it.

     So that was my week here in Palawan. The rollercoaster is slowly rising, Kipper, but that's okay because I know that's what I need. We do have a neat fireside this Thursday where all the couple missionaries in our mission and President and Sister Stucki are coming to Palawan and speaking. So I'm excited to hear from them. It's also for all the members/investigators as well here. So that'll be great. I love you all so much and pray for you all each night. Thank you all for the prayers as well. Hope you all have a great week! Count your many blessings!! Take care.

Mahal na mahal ko kayo lahat!
Sister Stromberg