It's beginning to FEEL a lot like Christmas

With the unprecedented cold front in the West, St George is definitely feeling a lot like Christmas around here.  The town shut down last Saturday due to 8 inches of snow and no snow plows to get it out of town.  The snow is still hanging around, two weeks later; and in a town with normal winter highs around 50 degrees, it's crazy!

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SO what a crazy week this has been! I am sorry this email is so late!! We went to a combined Zone activity up in the North of my mission so we didn't get home until around 5 and we were just able to email now. Christmas is getting closer and closer.  We got to watch the Christmas Devotional last night and it was So good, even though we weren't able to watch the Music.  I loved every talk but I think my favorite was by Elder Nelson! The true meaning of Christmas is a great topic and very important as well! 

I have gotten a lot of questions about what they do here to make it feel like Christmas and so I will tell you. Christmas is not commercialized here in the Philippines, it is celebrated by lights and fireworks in the hot, hot, heat. The Christmas music started in the beginning of September; even in the church and it has gotten that much stronger as we continue into December! So I think I have all the Christmas hymns in the hymn book memorized! :) It's been great, and OF COURSE just like every other holiday, we eat.  And that's what we plan to do; I can't wait to share with people this week the true gospel of Jesus Christ so that they can know what Christ really did for them!  So they can really know "what REALLY happened next" just like the lady that I forgot her name said in the fireside last night! 

So on Saturday, we had a baptism of a 12 yearold girl named Fraulien Petilo. I love her and I love her family.  They are actually waiting for us, were supposed to have an FHE with them in 5 minutes so we might be a little late! BUT she is the first member in her family, and I am so proud of her, she came by herself to church on Sunday and I loved seeing her smile when the rest of her family trickled in just a little bit late because they know it was important to her. I love the Petilo's and they treat me like I am their family here in the Philippines :) I love it here in San Felipe and I am so happy to still be here after 5 months! I love it and the people even more.. 

Well I hope you all have an amazing week out of school this week right? And I hope you have an even more amazing Christmas! Merry Christmas to all of you, don't let us forget the true meaning of Christmas what Christ did for YOU and what he did for everyone, whether they know it or not. That is our job as members who DO know what he did for us, to share that knowledge and peace with them! I love that and I am so grateful for Him. I love this gospel! I love my family. I love the Philippines and I love Christmas! I love being a missionary more than anything else. I am done saying what I love But have a great Christmas!! Enjoy the snow and the cold for me would ya? ;) Thank you:)

Love SIster Rossberg

Restoration and the happiest little girl

Can you believe that it's December 2nd already?  I hope your Thanksgiving was as fantastic, full of turkey (with cranberry relish) and family time as ours was.  

Abbi was working away as always, this week she and the 3 companionships serving in their branch held a Missionary Fireside about the Restoration of the Gospel.  

Our prophets and apostles have devoted their lives to sharing the gospel and declaring the word of the Lord.  Take 2 minutes out of your life to just watch this video.  No distractions, no reading Facebook with it in the background.  Just you and Elder L. Tom Perry, a messenger of the Lord.  

Mormon Messages: The Message of the Restoration

Ps: I love reading in Abbi's letter, "[Joseph Smith] was a true prophet of God who was sent here to help each one of us to gain the gospel in our lives" for two reasons:  

1.  'gain the gospel' sounds like a translation from another language to English which means that our little Sister missionary is doing awesome with her Tagalog. 

2. Seriously, read that again - what a great testimony!

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December already! where does time go? This week was so great! WE had our first baptism this transfer on Saturday. Her name is Bragie (Br-ah-gee) and I love her to death. We tried to make her baptism really special and she was like the happiest girl on earth on saturday, she borrowed Sister Harts' white dress to be baptized in and she looked just like a princess! She could not stop smiling, and as soon as she came out of the water, she had a HUGE smile on her face, I have never seen someone so full of joy. It was like she had no cares in the world. This is was baptism does for us, it helps see a little bit of heaven and what it will be like.. now our job is to not forget that and never forget the promises we made with our heavenly father.  I am so excited for Bragie to help her become strong in the church and be a great blessing to her family.

And yesterday at sacrament, she was confirmed a brand new member of the church! Yesterday I saw FAMILIES at church and I really felt the Spirit in our fast and testimony Sacrament meeting. The gospel changes lives when we live it's principles and I am so glad that I have the blessings of the FULL gospel in my life, I would literally be lost with out it. 

This week we have been preparing for this Branch Missionary Fireside that we were able to have yesterday after church. Yesterday we put on a fireside about The Restoration of the gospel and the why's, hows and blessings that we can gain that can only come from the Restoration, and the fact that we have the Priesthood back on the earth which means we have a living prophet, and the ability to be sealed here on this earth and to we can also be sealed in heaven (Helaman 10:7).  I really felt the spirit there as we sectioned off the blessings and each of the three companionships took a principle and shared the blessings from that.  And we sang, a lot ha, i wish you all could have been there it was pretty great :)

I am so grateful for the gospel and the opportunity to be able to meet our brothers and sisters here in the Philippines, they are some of the sweetest, and most kind people I have ever met, I love them so much I am so grateful for the opportunity to help them to learn the gospel so that they too can gain eternal life with their families! I don't know if you have ever missed your family ;) but I sure miss my family right now but I know that it's a small sacrifice to pay so that others here in the Philippines can be with their families forever and not miss their families for the rest of eternity.  

I am grateful for the gospel and more than that, I have a testimony of Joseph Smith, that he was a true prophet of God who was sent here to help each one of us to gain the gospel in our lives. 

I love you all.  Happy advanced Christmas! It's CHristmas already! I hope you have a great week! For those of you in school, hold in there until the break!! you can do it :) 

Love, Sister Rossberg

Gratitude is the Bridge to Happiness

A fitting Thanksgiving post from the the sister missionary who isn't celebrating Thanksgiving the way we do half a world away.  With Thanksgiving in our sights this week, it's such a blessing to remember that when we are grateful, we are blessed.  When time that could be spent listing our wants is replaced by an ever growing list of the things we are grateful for; our focus changes from ourselves and our own needs and allows us to focus on others.  When we focus on others' needs, we are serving our Heavenly Father. (Matt 25:35-45) Gratitude truly is the bridge to happiness.

I imagine that on a perfect day, this is what the Philippines looks like:

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So HAPPY THANKSGIVING this week! 

So my favorite holiday is coming up this Thursday and they sadly don't celebrate it in The Philippines, but thats okay :)  I know that it is only my favorite holiday because it's okay to eat too much and whatever you want to, ha!  So I guess I'll have to pass on that this year but the thankful part I most definitely don't want to pass on!   I have found a couple scriptures of how we should celebrate this always in our hearts, in Alma 34:38, (...."and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.") we can see that we always need to thank God because he is always blessing us but we don't even realize it half the time.  And through this we can recognize the blessings and love of God more easily.

A great person once said, "I feel that gratitude is the bridge to happiness." And I agree with her :) that great person is Bekah Brown.  She is the perfect example to me of being grateful for what ever the Lord will give us and be happy with it.  I am so excited to be here in the Philippines and I know that the Lord is just waiting for us to obey so that he can bless us!  I pray for you all everyday. 

So here's a little update on my area...I am still in my second area, and I am training for the second time and I love it!  I love missionary work.  We will have a baptism this Saturday and we have about 8 scheduled for the month of December, no joke! We are so excited to see the progress of the branch in this short time. Aaand... the Branch here has been so strong lately!  When I first got here, the attendance at Sacrament meeting was 95 to about 120 (and 120 was a way good Sunday) and now it this past month it has been 130-155 for four weeks in a row and it is so great!  And the Primary.. it is so strong! When we first got here there was about 15 kids in primary on a good Sunday but yesterday they had a primary program and there was about 45 kids up there singing their little hearts out, members and investigators! I love it here in San Felipe and I can't wait for the progress the Branch will see as Christmas approaches quickly!  Thank you all again for everything! Have a great week!


Next week maybe ill send some of the great stories I have heard from these great missionaries and thier families. Thanks :)
Love Sister Rossberg

The Lord Will Still Deliver Us

My heart has been in the Philippines these last few weeks.  I hate to hear of all the people hurting so much in Tachloban and the surrounding areas.  The stories and pictures that I have seen are so sad.  I was so relieved to read in the Deseret News that all 204 missionaries serving in the Tacloban mission were accounted for and have been safely moved out of the city.  I can't imagine how relieved their families were to also hear that news.  15 of those missionaries have joined Sister Rossberg in the zones and areas of her mission.  

When there are great and terrible things going on in the world, it is easy to get caught up in the devastation and despair.  But hearing so many, as Abbi calls them, "faith-filled stories" because of these same disasters, we also see the hand of the Lord protecting his children.  Sister Rossberg reminds us that He is constantly looking after us because He loves us.  

"We can really see that the Lord protects and guides His faithful servants and sometimes He sends things like a disaster to wake us up and remind us that He is there and only through Him can we truly be saved from all our problems!"

Thank you Sister Rossberg for your constant inspiration and reminders.  Yet another miraculous blessing of your missionary service.

-Sharna

Since most of the missionaries in the Tachloban Mission were uprooted so abruptly, they have a large need of basic supplies. I am so grateful to be connected to a group on Facebook who, through Abbi's mission president, has been given a list of essential items that they are in need of. Things like flashlights, first aid kits, sunscreen, batteries, ect these supplies are things that would be best to purchase in the U.S. and sent directly to the Philippines Olongapo Mission. If you are willing to help, let me know and I can get you more details.

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Hello everyone, thank you for your thoughts and prayers to those who have been affected by the tragedies in Tocloban Philippines.  The Tocloban Mission is being closed is what I have heard at least; and I'm sure you all know more about all of that than we do because the lack of connection to the world we have. But it's great and there are 15 missionaries from the Tocloban mission that got here this last week that will be joining our zones and areas and I can't be more excited to help them and learn from them.

I have heard so many faith-filled stories from missionaries and their families all over because of this natural disaster. We can really see that the Lord protects and guides His faithful servants and sometimes He sends things like a disaster to wake us up and remind us that He is there and only through Him can we truly be saved from all our problems! Just like in Alma 60:20-21,23.  I love the chastisement I guess you could say from Moroni to his enemy.  And it is a good reminder that the Lord does not forget us; and all He has to do is send us a problem and we will remember Him pretty quick.  

I am so grateful for the miracles and love the Lord has for His children.  I love you and I love being a missionary for our Savior.  Keep up your work in helping the missionaries in your area too, they need you!  Love you.  Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Rossberg

Bad News / Good News

Bad News: For those of you who didn't hear about the earthquake the second it happened like my Dad did, on Tuesday October 15, there was a 7.1 earthquake in Central Philippines.  Luckily, Abbi was far from the danger but it did give us a pretty good scare. 

Good News: 7 small new members of the Church in Abbi's area!  It never ceases to amaze me the number of children who have agreed to accept the gospel and become examples to their friends and family.  It is truly a testament of the missionary force in the Philippines and all the young people who are serving from Abbi's area in other places of the Philippines. 

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Hello, good day! 

So, some crazy stuff has happened this past week, starting from last week at this time, we were in the middle of a big storm and some houses got destroyed here in the San Felipe area but thank goodness no one was seriously injured. And now there is no Baguio, just sun and a little clouds, hot as ever again my favorite :)  

And I'm sure you all heard of the earthquakes in South Philippines this last week, and I just want to say I am so grateful it was during the morning so that many were saved and even though a lot of people did get seriously injured and died.  We did not feel it at all here in Zambales because we are very far from Leyte where it was the strongest I think.  I have only felt one earthquake the whole time I've been here it was last July for like 10 seconds, it was the weirdest thing but anyways so that's the update on the natural disasters here in the Philippines. And we can really see that the Second coming is near at hand, "the time is far spent no? THERE is Little remaining" very true noh?  Anyway, I hope you are all safe in your areas and that your not too distressed with what is happening in the Philippines.

We had a baptism this last Saturday, there was seven all together and one from our area, it was at night and it was really beautiful.  The Spirit was way strong as I saw these children of God come back into His fold; and yes they were all children, 11 years old and younger. So we are excited to help them be amazing examples to their families and friends. 

Well, we found out tomorrow who the 2 new sisters are in our branch and I am so excited! Can't, can't wait!  Most likely I will just get transferred to San Felipe 3 and open the area over there with my new companion and that's great..  

So I feel like I'm rambling now but I loved conference this last weekend, were able to watch the Saturday morning session now but we still weren't able to watch the Saturday afternoon session so I CANNOT wait to get the ensign and be able to read it this next month. We can really see the progress this work is making in all areas and especially to strengthen the members everywhere.  Thank you for your love and support. Keep up the good work love ya all! 

P.S. CONGRATS to Matt on his Eagle project, tapos ka na! (Great Job!) :)

Love,

Sister Rossberg

General Conference update

Abbi was scheduled to watch Conference about the same schedule that we had since the time zone is so different but a big storm postponed the Saturday broadcast.  So they were only able to watch the Sunday sessions.  

Abbi has put in a request that all of you send her your favorite talks and your insights and why you loved them.  **Remember that Dear Elder is super easy to use!**

"My favorite talk was in the Sunday AM session by Richard J Manyes about problems and struggles in life and how we can handle them. There is a price to pay.... The secret is WORK!  I love it and I loved this Conference so much."

I know I've said this so many times before, but I just get so much pride in my heart for this sister missionary of mine when I heard about everything she is learning and how much she is growing as an amazing servant of her Heavenly Father.

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I am doing great!  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.. I love you all very much and I LOVE LOVE LOVED General Conference this last weekend.. I felt like such a nerd I could not sleep on Friday night because I was just so excited for Conference to hear from our living prophet today!  But it turned out that there was a pretty bad storm that started at like 10 pm on Friday night, her name is Sandy, she was a pretty bad one. It tore up some trees all over town and thank goodness I didn’t see many houses that the roof was destroyed because of the strong winds. 

But I guess I asked for it, because on Thursday night we went and visited our investigator who is supposed to be baptized this next weekend and wasn’t going to be able to attend church because she had a competition at school that would go until Sunday afternoon. I was just thinking and thinking of what I could do to help her to come to church on Sunday so that she could hear the words of our prophet. I prayed that night because that’s all I could do and it was all I could think about.  Despite the strong winds and all that was happening outside our apartment, by a huge miracle, we were able to sleep through the night.  So we wake up Friday morning and the kids didn’t have school because the storm was a signal number 2 which means that basically mildly strong winds but it did not rain until late, late Friday night. So school was canceled for the kids right? Which means the competition was also cancelled and Sister Renzlee was able to attend Conference with us!  And speaking of Conference, it was AMAZING!!! 

Please send me your favorite talks and why because I would love to hear your insights and what you were ALL able to learn from Conference.  We still haven’t been able to watch the Saturday session because there was no signal on Saturday due to Sandy, so next week we will get to watch it and I am still SO EXCITED because President Monson said this was the best conference ever.. and that man cannot lie so I am WAY excited! 

My favorite talk was in the Sunday AM session by Richard J Manyes about problems and struggles in life and how we can handle them. There is a price to pay.. I loved this so much because my Mission President is always saying that if we want to get something for instance, if I want to learn Tagalog, I have to ‘pay the price’ Elder Maynes said that the price is dedication, perseverance and self- discipline.  The secret is WORK!  I love it and I loved this Conference so much.  I hope you all have a very great week. 

OH! One more thing we are very excited about is that we found out on Saturday night that San Felipe will be getting 2 more sisters so there will be SIX missionaries in the San Felipe branch by the end of October.  That might seem like a lot but here, that is actually very common now.  And I bet you see that too; the number of Missionaries is increasing every month and it is so exciting to me.  The Lord is truly hastening His work and he needs more missionaries, he needs all of us to be working our best every day. I love you keep up the good work!

Love Sister Rossberg

A week late..

I dropped the ball again..I was selfishly keeping this  letter to myself and I'm sorry about that.

Here is Abbi's update from last week.  This week's letter will be up later today.   Also, Abbi might be a little bit excited for Conference.

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Exchanges!

Apparently the movie Twilight was filmed in the Philippines.

So, What a week! I will start from last Monday, we reached our goals for the Month of  September, so we got to go to the mission home and have family home evening over there in Subic and it was a blast! 

And last Tuesday night, we heard that the spouse of one of our former investigators had passed away on Sunday night, she was really sick with a heart condition and tired very easily, even just walking 5 feet, she felt like she was going to pass out. So Wednesday night we went to visit their family, they were all home and we talked with them and expressed our love for their family.  And we get to teach them again this Sunday and we see how the Lord works in mysterious ways to bring the Salvation of his people. 

BOY am I excited for conference!!! COnference, we get to watch it kinda like the normal schedule for you guys in the States, I think because we are so far behind... or something ha I don't really know but here's our schedule:

General Conference Schedule in the Phillippines:

                Saturday 8 AM – Priesthood Session

                Saturday 11 AM – Saturday Morning

                Saturday 2 PM – Saturday Afternoon

                Sunday 9 AM – Sunday Morning

                Sunday 12 PM – Sunday Afternoon

Love ya all!

Sister Rossberg

 PS: you can look up and watch all of General Conference on LDS.org ;)

A Baptism and some photos!

Abbi's first baptism in the San Felipe 2nd branch was a smashing success!!  And if you have been feeling picture deprived as we have, don't worry... you're about to become blown away with some awesome pictures of these amazing people in San Felipe.

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Good Morning from San Felipe!

What a week! So first off we had our first baptism in this area!! WOOHOO!! It was Nanay Letecia, her grandson and another new member from the Elder's area. There were many who attended and we really felt the support of the branch Saturday afternoon at the Baptism! So our Branch President planned a Branch activity before the baptism so that a lot of people would attend and be able to come and help the new converts feel welcome. When we got to the baptism, they weren't there So we called Nanay's daughter (who is a member) and she said they were still cooking, so we went to Nany's house to help her cook and prepare the food and the baptism was a success!!  I am so grateful for the gospel in my life and I love all of you, here's a bunch of pictures...

SALAMAT po!

Love Sister Rossberg

San Felipe Branch!

Nanay Lete with her grandson on their baptism day!

Helping Nanay Lete

Keep your Head Held High

Maganda Umaga sa inyo lahat! Mahal ko kayo! (Beautiful morning to everyone! I love you!)

So, how are you? It feels like it's been a while since I've sent a real email for all of you so sorry for that, it has been a little crazy but I just need to find time and I will do better, promise!:) So this next week we have District Conference (like stake conference) and it's my first time here in the Philippines so I am so excited and with the amount of missionaries that are departing from the branches here to go to other missions in the Philippines and over the world is so exciting to me! I am excited for them and as our Branch missionaries and Branch mission leaders become full-time missionaries; the need for others and more prepared members of the church is very apparent here in San Felipe Branch!

SO another transfer has passed by and no one in my zone was transferred which is good, because all of us except for the Zone Leaders are training new missionaries. We are in a "training zone" as President Querido says and I am very proud to be part of the Cabangan Zone! So anywho last Monday we had Family Home Evening at the first counselor of the branch's house and we had a great turn out.. we invited a lot of our investigators and less actives that we are working with. Most of them are girls so we are working on getting more leaders to join the church here because the church in the Philippines is in much need of some Priesthood! We are very blessed in the US to not have much of a problem with that. But it's great, and we work everyday to help the Church here grow because it has great potential!  But any who, like I said earlier, no one was transferred but on Tuesday, we did gain one more set of sisters in our Zone and now there are 3 sisters companionships in our zone, how exciting noh? And the Gorringe couple came to out DM, they are from Idaho and they are super great, fairly new and will be great for the mission.

So this week I realized 6 weeks have already passed and Sister Enguito deserves a better trainer so I will have to be the better trainer that she needs. And we are working on this week to be the best unified companionship and this is probably the last transfer we will have together. On Thursday, our Branch Mission Leader in San Agustin left for the MTC and I am so excited for him, he was a great help for us over there. And then on Friday this week, it started to rain again :) and I learned from some experiences that the secret is really to love everyone your working with and change yourself first when something in not working the best that it can, I love sister Enguito and we are doing really well in our area. 

We should have one baptism before then end of the month. Nanay Letecia, our investigator who is about 75, she is so great and I love her so much!  She wasn't feeling very well yesterday morning but came to church anyway and I am so proud of her example to me. As we were walking to visit Sister Letecia last night, it just started to rain and after we left but before we got to our next appointment it was raining so hard and little did I know, my umbrella has holes in the top and apparently it can't stand through that strong rain so... nagliggo kami sa ulan (we showered in the rain) but not on purpose!

But it was a great, great day and another great week! I hope you all are doing great and have a great week! Mahal ko kayo! (I love you!)

Love sister rossberg :)

 

"Keep your head held high"

Sisters in our Zone and Sister Gorringe

our I2L's last week... :)

Us and our Branch Missionaries

Branch activity Sis Trapsi (Far left), BM, and Elder Mediado

FHE

A Short Letter from Sister Rossberg

This short letter from Abbi hopefully means that she is working hard and is completely engaged in the missionary work she was sent to do.  It probably also means that she is giving her companion more time to write to her own family.  Man alive, do I love that girl!

Sharna

And here's a throwback from the week before Abbi left.  I just imagine her doing this all the time like the rockstar she is and it's a little better that she's gone.  :)

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Hello people in the world!  I just want you all to know that our Heavenly Father Loves you! He loves your more than anyone on this earth ever could so because of that, we should trust Him. This week has been a good one.. I forgot the pictures again... and my camera is being weird so hopefully the next week. :)
So we had exchanges and wow I am out of time. Love you guys... next week sorry ;/

LOVE Sister Rossberg

Repent, and Be with Him Forever!

Abbi's enthusiasm and dedication to this work amazes me. I can just feel it in every letter she types how much she loves this gospel and the work she is doing!  She is just a little ray of sunshine, sending us beams back home.  How can I not feel that boost in my day when I hear things like this:

"..[Emily] is just soaking up the gospel with everything we have to teach her, it is such a great experience every time we have the opportunity to teach her and be uplifted by her thoughts and many questions!"

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Things here in San Felipe Branch are better than ever, it has been rainy for the last couple weeks up until about Tuesday of last week and the heat is back!! :) And the Sun is back which means it's harvesting season :) Because of all the rain, our Sacrament attendance has been really down 100 one week, 85 another, and 93 last week but... our attendance yesterday... Drum role please.. was 132!  The chapel was FULL yesterday with investigators, Less-actives, and members who brought their non-member friends! Coming soon... San Felipe Ward! But anywho, that is my blessing for this week and I have taken it as such.

Sister Enguito and I are loving the adventures here in our area and it's already September... The time is flying by and I Love it so much, we have an investigator who we will call Emily... she is 20 and was a street contact but her mom is an inactive member and she is just soaking up the gospel with everything we have to teach her, it is such a great experience every time we have the opportunity to teach her and be uplifted by her thoughts and many questions! She is so inspired and I love her so much. She wrote us a song which I would write the lyrics here but it will probably get published one day so you'll just have to wait :) but here's a little bit, "In return of all His kindness to us we should repent whole heatedly and be with Him FOREVER." I am sorry for I will have to cut it short this week but I love you and I will send pictures next week.

May god Bless you. I love you all!
Love Sister Rossberg
P.S. Thank you for your letters and emails, I will respond to them, Promise :)

Don't Ever Forget Your Potential!

I hear it's rainy season in the Philippines these days; I feel like it's a little early to start rainy season.  Doesn't it go all the way through winter??  But those rain boots are looking GOOD! 

Abbi's mention of exact obedience makes me so proud to see her serving.  She really does want to make the best of the year and a half she has and soak up all of the blessings available to her.  :)  It really is a testament to the fact that the commandments are not given to us as restrictions.  Through them, we are able to gain so many blessings.  Especially if we are trying to obey with all of our heart; just like a Sister missionary that I know.  I know that through exact obedience we can come to find our full potential and enjoy the presence of the Spirit. 

I loved this:

(about Alma 24:19) "And it got me thinking first, that I need to be more exactly obedient in keeping the commandments of God... so that we can receive the full blessings that the Lord is willing to give [me]." 

Sharna
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Check out these rain boots!

Our apartment

Our really cool room!

Good day to everyone!
How are you this week!! It has been another great week in the Philippines in the rainy season; we too have been having flash flood warnings and storms everyday but we still work, rain or shine! :) We just wear our super cute boots!! ;) It's great when it rains because everyone is home so we can teach, but the problem it's finally comfortable to sleep so everyone is home but they are sleeping! This week has been great though, we have been very blessed to be able to reach most of our goals as we are working with our investigators right now I just love them!!
We had a follow-up training early, at the 4 week mark of the training of Sister Engiuto's and the missionaries she came out with, so we learned a lot, a lot from there and things we can apply to our work everyday!! Nanay Laticia is so great! She came to church on Sunday and I cannot wait for her to be baptized this next month on the 28th!! Hopefully we will have a picture that I can send to you next week, because they are great, and Claire who is 20, one of our investigators, she came to church right away and she is learning so much, I love teaching her because she is so enthusiastic about everything and loves getting to know the members and the new things to her about our church!

So this morning, I was reading in Alma 24:19 about the Laminate converts and how faithful they are to their covenants and to the Lord. It says that when they were brought to know the truth, they were firm in that belief and nothing, save it be death, would keep them from following exactly the covenants and commandments of God. And it got me thinking first, that I need to be more exactly obedient in keeping the commandments of God. And then, I started thinking about the faithful and valiant servants of God here and all over the world, they are the truly converted and we all need to be like that so that we can receive the full blessings that the Lord is willing to give us.

Thank you to all of you that are the great examples to me that never miss a Sunday and are always in the Temple serving the Lord and God. You are amazing and I thank you all for being great.

Oh yeah SO one more thing.. CONGRATS to Tenille STUCKI on the engagement.. (What the? I was supposed to be your maid of honor.. ha joke.. but I am expecting an announcement!! CONGRATS girl!!)
And one more shout out to Mataya Phillips (Cook now) (Thanks for your announcement, I just got it last week and it was super great I started crying because I was so happy for you, I love you girl! congrats! ) I don't have their emails so that's why lol.. so thanks I love you guys!

Don't ever forget your potential! Take care always!
Love, Sister Rossberg

Miracles Happen as a Result of Faithfulness and Obedience!

Our faithful sister missionary is off changing the Philippines with spiritual pixie dust!  A story this week is of about Sister Glavez's family.  She is the Primary President in their ward but her family hasn't been to church in a few years.  A series of events lead her family searching for answers and back to church!

The highlight this week is a summary of Abbi's hard work that is evident from her letters the past few weeks:
 

"This week has been full of miracles and I have noticed that miracles happen as a result of faithfulness and obedience!"

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This baptism is of the elders in our branch.. no baptisms.. YET!



This is an FHE we had before the missionaries in the San Felipe ward left for their missions 



Me and my comp with Kathlyn (who is now Sister Resolme!)

Magandang umaga po sa inyo lahat! Salamat po sa inyong mga inisip at pagdasal para sa akin, mahal ko kayo!  OR if you speak English.. Good morning to everyone! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, I love you all.
 
This week has been full of miracles and I have noticed that miracles happen as a result of faithfulness and obedience!
 
This week, I would like to share a story of a less-active 19 year old man, his brother and his family.  We will call them the Galvez Family because this goes on the internet and I will keep their privacy :) So the Galvez family.. we found them through a referral.  Their mom is the Primary president in our branch and most of her children are inactive but despite that, she is faithful and magnifies her calling in the church. Her oldest son and his wife are both members, they have two children (10 and 6) they haven't been to church in a few years until one day, a miracle happened in their life and they realized they need God more than anything else in this life.
 
Brother Galvez, (we will call him Richard) after eating dinner had a sharp pain in his side but thought he would just sleep it off before he went to the hospital, but the whole night he could not sleep because of the pain and they went to the hospital at about 4 a.m.  After an evaluation, he was rushed into surgery. His spleen had a ruptured 5 days ago and was in critical condition. The doctors could not explain why or how he was still alive but the fact was that he was still alive and recovered quickly as well.

This last Sunday, I loved seeing the joy on Sister Galvez's (Primary pres.) face as she walked in with her son Fredrick and following were her two grandchildren, her son Richard, and his wife. They all said that they had a wonderful experience at church and are excited to continue to come and feel of the joy and peace of the gospel.

After we went to visit the Galvez Family on Tuesday this last week we found two people who were searching for answers: Brother Fredrick and Sister Leticia.  Leticia is Brother Galvez's mother-in-law. 
 
So first about Leticia. She has been being prepared by the Lord, Leticia is not yet a member but has been looking for something more since her husband passed away about 3 months ago. Nanay Leticia is about 72 year old and has only been religious because her husband was religious, so once he passed away, she thirsted for something more! So on Tuesday of last week we visited with Richard, his wife Mayla, their two children, and Leticia.  And Nanay Leticia accepted the invitation to be baptized and receive the missionary lessons! She has a hard time really getting the lessons all the way but her grand kids are so helpful in every lesson and accepted the assignment to read to their grandma so she can fully understand!  I cannot wait to help her every step of the way to baptism.
 
Now about Brother Fredrick, as we were leaving on Tuesday from the Galvez and we were looking for their mom, the Primary president, and he pointed us to where we could find her, we introduced ourselves and thought nothing of it and left on our way.  But that night, we got a text from Brother Fredrick asking us if we could come back and visit with him the following day, of course we accepted! The next day as we visited with Fredrick, he shared with us that he just feels like he needs to come back to church and something is definitely missing in his life and when he saw us the other day something just clicked and he knew he needed to talk with us
So I am sorry if this story is long and hard to understand but basically I know that the Lord puts people and happenings in our lives to bless others and I know that we can all be instruments in the Lord's hands as we righteously obey him and are in the right place at the right time! I love serving the people here and I am running out of time so I hope you have a great, great week! Continue to be the best that we all can be and look for opportunities to serve the Lord.  I love you all! Take care always!

Love, Sister Rossberg

S.M.I.L.E-- Spiritually. Minded. Is. Life. Eternal (Basically Abbi is Awesome) :-)

It is always so wonderful to hear how Abbi is doing from her Mission President!  Her letter this week is even more telling of how much she has grown since leaving home at the end of March.  Her first week in the MTC was eye opening to say the least, but she is thrust into an even more intimidating situation with this new transfer. 
I feel so grateful for the preparation in the MTC, with it being so short and to the point, it really is the best way to prepare for a mission, especially where Abbi is serving.  I was amazed that her first day in the MTC she was expected to teach a lesson in Tagalog. I stand even more in awe that she is now expected to teach a lesson: as a trainer, in a new (and very different) area, in a new language, Ilacano!  And she is checking all the boxes associated with success!
She truly is a wonderful example of a disciple of Christ and I can't tell you all of the blessings that I have received personally from her serving this mission.

Highlights from this week:

"Tuesday, well and everyday, we try to be exactly obedient because we know that only through obedience can we receive the fullness of blessings so why should, and would we rob ourselves by disobeying? We shouldn't!"

"I know that even though that day felt very useless, none of our efforts are wasted and that every effort expended for the Lord will be acknowledged. And I know that to be very true. "

"As we 'invest' our hours in the Lord's service, we will gain it back and so much more in the future!"

(Seriously, how did I get so lucky to have the best little sister EVER! I love being her cheerleader across the ocean!)
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Hello Family!

I am brought to tears today by the heartfelt letters, thoughts and prayers of all of your stalwart servants of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for your faith and testimonies that make me better everyday! You are all such great examples and inspire me to be the very best that I can be. I hope to live up to the example that you all are to me.

So yes, I am on a new adventure and I am still excited to be here even though it is tough at times. As I mentioned in my last letter, Sister Enguito and I are in an open area and there are very few people to teach. Tuesday was a day for miracles; we always seem to have problems going to people's houses when they are available but I guess that's something I need to work on, is scheduling!

Tuesday, well and everyday, we try to be exactly obedient because we know that only through obedience can we receive the fullness of blessings so why should, and would we rob ourselves by disobeying? We shouldn't! So we are obedient missionaries here in San Felipe! :) But Tuesday in particular, we were out finding and we ran into a girl who's grandfather hasn't been to church on over a year (former Branch President) we taught him and through his family, we have found a huge family of members who are less-active and or part-member families. So we found two families that day to teach and we are finally able to reach our goals (or be closer to reaching our goals this week) so that is exciting!

On Friday this week, we went to one of our farthest areas to teach some new investigators we had an appointment with and then went to the Baptism at the Church to support the Elders in their 3 baptismal candidates! But after that we were 'punted' or in other words, all of the people we had planned to teach were not available or not home. So we walked around for about 3 hours talking to people and trying to find people to teach until about 8, we went to a less-active members' home but didn't have time to teach them so we just got to know them a little bit and prayed with them. I know that even though that day felt very useless, none of our efforts are wasted and that every effort expended for the Lord will be acknowledged. And I know that to be very true.

Yes, the language is still a challenge for me everyday and hearing Ilacano is like a nose bleed!! (The Filipinos say that speaking English is a nose bleed... and it's true) But I hardly understand Tagalog and hearing another dialect that sound similar to Tagalog is making me crazy haha! but I love it. I love every second of every day and I love learning Tagalog, it is very, very great to speak Tagalog and teach those loving children in their own tongue and language!

So last night I couldn't sleep, because it was COLD... yes I know, weird but any way, I lay awake thinking of the ward and the people and I just started listing off things about this area and the Philippines until I could fall asleep. I love San Felipe and I love being able to teach the gospel, as well as be a good example to my new companion!
So we have two branch missionaries who are leaving on their missions this Friday who spoke in church in Sunday, they are so great! They have worked with us everyday this last week and what a help they are to find less-actives and people to teach and then to fellowship them!

So on Sunday, that missionary service is a sacrifice but it is the greatest investment you will ever make for your life. As we 'invest' our hours in the Lord's service, we will gain it back and so much more in the future! The people here are very friendly and the area here is more middle class than San Agustin where most of the people there were less well off, I guess you could say.  I'm not sure how to explain it, but we have Barungay here (which is pave roads and streets and houses that are similar to in Amerika). But the members are just as humble and willing to serve the Lord with all their efforts and love for their Savior.

Thank you all again so very much! I hope you too have a good week, know that I feel your prayers and your love.  Know that the Lord loves you and is watching over all of us!
Spiritually. Minded. Is. Life. Eternal :) Remember to always smile!
God Bless.

Love Sister Rossberg!