New Things Make Everyone Excited; Lost Her English.

Dear everyone,

So, the most exciting news this week, is that the new church opened this week in our area which had been getting build for about 6 years from what I understand.  We're the lucky missionaries who get to be here for it, and it's making our lives a lot easier because people seem pretty generally excited about it and it's waaaaay closer than the old church was.  It's super pretty inside and out.  What a blessing, truly, for members and missionaries alike.  Easter Sunday was the inaugural Sunday that everyone got to go to church there for the first time!

Stories - went on exchanges twice this week, and that was pretty awesome.  Being an Sister Training Leader is in some ways what I thought it would be like, but also very different too.  It's teaching me a lot of things I don't have time to go into so deeply right now.  I'm learning a lot about responsibilities and how we all need to help strengthen and encourage our neighbor, and help them to be happy as well... whatever it takes and whatever we need to do.

Sister Grant got a balloon-animal making kit for her birthday.  We made balloon animals and were taking one to the office to leave for another missionary for his birthday (on our way to exchanges.)  Some kid saw us and asked if he could have it... we said we'd make him another one and bring it to him.  We did, and he was super happy.  Sharing joy erry day, even in the small ways... those are the really fun/happy moments on my mission.

Last week, we had a zone activity.  Normally, missionaries never watch movies or tv or listen to "wordly music."  However, we had permission for an activity to watch the movie Frozen last week.  That was pretty cool.  We're going bowling today for a district activity, so I'm wearing pants right now.  Pants are super weird; I don't think I like them anymore (haven't worn any for about... 6 months.) 

Easter is... interesting, here in the Philippines.  I won't go into it too much, but they celebrate the crucifixion here a LOT more than they focus on Christ's resurrection.  I kind of missed my mom's cornbread and creamed eggs.... no time to cook or make that on a mission ( and probably not the right ingredients here!)

Hey, love you all. Stay awesome.  Do good things, and always strive to find joy each day with the Savior's help.  I know that Christ lives and redeemed us from our sins should we choose to follow Him in all aspects of our lives.  His miracle of living again is there for us, and when we rise again in those last days we'll be joyful as we live according to Heavenly Father's plan for us here on the earth.

Love,

Marinda

Sister Grant... hahahah.  She's been on the mission long enough and speaks Tagalog fluently enough that sometimes she makes some pretty hilarious mistakes when she tries speaking English or remembering how to say things in English.  This week, I asked her if she could remember what part of a boat the "mast" is (pretty sure it's where the sails are attached.)  She started to explain and said "Well, the boat has that one thing called an 'udder' on the back..." I started laughing SOOOOOO hard and then drew this picture of a cow with an udder and a boat with an udder.  We have a lot of laughs together; Sister Grant is super awesome.