Well here is week three...well actually I don’t even know what week it is.  Time is going by pretty fast here.  It’s weird because every day is really similar so they all kind of run together.  So we got to watch the women’s broadcast on Saturday!  It was kind of the best thing ever.  I loved it cause I heard so many things that I needed to hear.  I have to say though.  The tabernacle has never looked so good!  I walked in to the chapel and saw the broadcast and started crying because I missed home haha cause I’m weird like that. And wow those videos were amazing huh?!  In the I am a child of God video did you see the jeepneys?  That was the Philippines! Go check it out.  It is so crazy!  Those jeepneys are everywhere here.  We ride them several times a day.  And so many people squish into them.  Like you think there is no more room and then four more people squish in.  And imagine that in 95 degree weather with humidity.  Interesting to say the least haha.  There is no personal space bubble here.  

This Sunday one of our families that we are teaching came to church!!!! YAYYYY Well only the kids came but still.  That is 5 investigators!  It was so awesome.  They are so cute and they were super curious and asked a ton of questions.  And the oldest girl said she felt good there.  Which we took as an awesome sign.  They were like our kids, hah cause we sat by them and took them around to all the classes.  The members were super nice to them but it’s hard to get fellow shippers cause YW are wellll, YW hah you all know how that goes.   We showed them the baptismal font and talked a little bit about baptism.  They haven’t accepted a date yet but were praying for May 10.  The cool thing is that their dad is already a member.  Less active but still a member so our goal is to prepare him to be worthy to baptize his family.  It’s so exciting to think that we are helping them complete their family.  I hope they keep growing in their desire to learn about the church because they are so amazing and I just get so excited thinking about the blessings they can get as a family and maybe if they get baptized we could start helping them prepare to go to the temple.  

  So this week we were walking after teaching an investigator and a lady asked us what church we are from.  Which is like a golden question ha.  I love when people ask us why we are here.  It is such an easy conversation starter.  Anyways we stopped and talked to her and soon 4 more of her friends came over and we gave them all pamphlets and decided to just teach them right there so we sat down and taught them all about the restoration.  It was cool cause they all just gathered together and there was a bunch of kids and it was just fun.  Plus five new investigators is always awesome :)

One guy on the street was like "good afternoon maam....I LOVE YOU!"  hah oh it just makes me laugh how everyone says crazy stuff like that.  They are super obsessed with me because I’m white.  I can’t even count how many times people say stuff but you just have to learn to laugh at it.  There is an adorable little boy (like 2 years old) and I’m his "crush."  Whenever I go teach the people that live by him he is always there and I wave and he gets all embarrassed and turns around and hides and we all laugh.  It is so funny. 

We had exchanges this week.  It really wasn’t that bad but it was weird being with someone else.   We only taught two lessons because it was the women’s broadcast.  She told me in the evaluation that I don’t smile enough in the lessons.  Pshh whatever.  But yup that’s my goal now.  Is to be happier.  Anyway I’m running out of time.  I love you all.  You are the best ever!  I miss you.  Thanks so much for everything!  Whenever you think about complaining about something just think about the people out there who don’t have as many blessings as you do.  Think about all you have and how lucky you are to have it.  Also never take a washing machine for granted.  Or a microwave.  Or a walmart.  or a car.  or really I could go on forever hahha.  Just be thankful.  That’s all I can say.  You guys are so awesome and I’m so thankful for such a strong support system.  Keep sending me pictures and keep me updated because I love hearing from you.  mahal kita from the Philippines

-Sister Van Tassell