Birthday Miracles :)

I might be a little bit late on this one since Brent and I were in Bear Lake last week and I didn't touch a keyboard even once. So the catch up begins...
Happy Birthday Abbi!  I'm so happy to hear that she got 2 baptisms for her birthday! What a perfect present! Abbi is seeing miracles everyday in the mission field and I'm so glad that we get to hear about them.  It is such a blessing to see the Lord's hand in the lives of the people around us (or 10,000 miles away).

Highlights from this week:

 "Gratitude is the bridge to happiness"

 "The greatest miracle of all is that about 2 weeks ago, she had the hardest time reading and we encouraged her to read the picture Book of Mormon and she would just look at the pictures before but Friday, when I asked her what she had learned from her reading, she told me the story of Jacob and I was shocked!! She read to us and I was over filled with joy!" 

Hello!
 
First off, thank you all so much for your birthday wishes and love and support with you all give me everyday. I realized this last week that my letters are an overview because of the time limit but I just need to maximize my time so that you all don't suffer with small letters from me. So I will try and be more in detail. Here goes, a new Sister Rossberg starting to day :)

So this week we had two baptisms!! John Bert and Jhonamel! They are amazing and I love them so much; they were both baptized on Saturday and are the first members in both of their families. What a great opportunity they now have to share the gospel!

Monday, we had FHE at a members home and shared with our investigators and members present the gratitude we have for them and how being grateful can change everything.  Bekah sent me in a letter that, "Gratitude is the bridge to happiness". How profound is that.. YES!! If the Lamanites were just grateful that they weren't destroyed by the hand of the powerful Lamanites. How many lives would have been saved? DAMING! SO anyway I am grateful this day for everything and miracles I have seen in this, the Lord's work!

And this week was my birthday on Wednesday right? Yup! Correct. We had dinner at a members house and I feel so blessed to feel all the love from members and investigators with their little letters and testimonies to me about how their lives have changed and such since they have received the gospel, they are amazing. I feel very spoiled in my first area and I had an amazing week.

So a miracle that I have seen this week is the changes in a nine year old girl named Jhonamel, she has the most sincere desire to follow the example of the Lord. About a month ago, she came to church all by herself and met friends there. The missionaries before had taught her but she had W.O.W. problems with drinking coffee and stopped progressing because she had no family members to support her in going to church. But this because she showed the desire, we taught her again and her mom is very supportive in her going to church and being baptized, yet will not be baptized herself. Pero(but), she helped Jhonamel to umiwas(avoid) coffee and become a candidate for baptism! The greatest miracle of all is that about 2 weeks ago, she had the hardest time reading and we encouraged her to read the picture Book of Mormon and she would just look at the pictures before but Friday, when I asked her what she had learned from her reading, she told me the story of Jacob and I was shocked!! She read to us and I was over filled with joy! She was baptized on Saturday and although none of her friends of family were able to attend, she was one happy girl!

I love serving here in San Agustin Branch and I will continue to see miracles in this mission, I love you all. Have an amazing week! :)

Love Sister Rossberg

Love Missionary Work So It Can Love You!

Abbi finally was able to see the Worldwide Missionary Broadcast that I'm sure many of you saw almost a month ago!  Did it also make you feel like this??:

"I wake up every morning,  jump out of bed and just can't wait to study my scriptures and serve the people in San Agustin!"

I love hearing about Abbi's enthusiasm for the gospel and all of the people she is serving.  It's a wonderful blessing to see the effect that it is having on her.  Because when she writes things like the quote above, I know that she means it with every fiber of her being.  She has been so excited to serve a mission for so long and I know that she is making every single second count.  I'm so proud of her!

Sharna
--

Hello!
SO we had the opportunity yesterday to watch the missionary broadcast, FINALLY!! I'm sure you all watched it.. it was real great. And I hope it got you fired up to do missionary work because it sure made me fired up!! Especially seeing all those sisters in the MTC choir!! Wow, half and half, no?? SO cool! I feel so blessed to be a part of this work of the Lord. One of the most important works of the Lord, and he has entrusted his 18 and 19 year old Young Men and Women to the work; and how great is their response to the call to serve!

So anyway, this week we are building the church, especially in the youth of our branch. We have 5 investigators right now who are 13-16 and they are being surrounded by the love of their classmates, neighbors, friends and relatives as they receive the lessons and attend church each Sunday! How valiant are the youth here. They are so important because they will be the future leaders in the coming years. Build the youth and share the gospel. It is so great to be able to share the Love I have for my Savior with every person I meet. I think I found a new drive and love for this work this week. I wake up every morning,  jump out of bed and just can't wait to study my scriptures and serve the people in San Agustin! We are holding a FHE tonight with investigators at a members home and I can’t wait!  Thank you all for  your thoughts and prayers, take care always!
Love Sister Rossberg

Pamilya (Family!)

Another week, another letter! This week is short and sweet, a good reminder for all of us to hug our families a little bit tighter.  If we're going to be with them for eternity, why not start loving them as much as possible right now!

Sharna
--

Highlights from the Philippines:

"Family is the most important thing on this earth. It is the most important to Heavenly Father and it should be to us as well. I am on a mission with the purpose to help other families come unto Christ and so that they can be with their families forever."

"The definition of a missionary, is one who leaves her family for a short time so that others can be with their families forever."

So, I have been thinking about you guys a lot this week, and I may not get to write a full email to the general public :) but I wanted to get my thoughts out just to my loving parents that I love so dearly. Yes, I got the package. THANK YOU! I am waiting to open my present until my birthday, it was just wrapped too cute!! :) Thank you so, so much!  It was much needed too, now the mosquitoes can stop using me as their dinner ;) Very helpful!!

Thank you for your updates I am sad to hear when missionaries don't hear from their families.. even just one email.. so thank you for keeping me in your prayers and thoughts. I love you so much!
Family first. Family is the most important thing on this earth. It is the most important to Heavenly Father and it should be to us as well. I am on a mission with the purpose to help other families come unto Christ and so that they can be with their families forever.

This week we had the opportunity of having Elder Ardern and his wife from the 70 come to our mission and have a Zone Conference with them. They are an amazing couple!! They taught us about families a lot, and how important it is to teach families and marriage of course because it is so important to be sealed in the temple to start it off right. I saw a quote once that the definition of a missionary, is one who leaves his family for a short time so that others can be with their families forever. There is so much power in teaching families and I think I said that last week so I won't repeat myself but Elder Ardern helped me realize the importance of giving everything you have everyday to this work because this is the only time we have to serve God with ALL our efforts, of course we will serve God for the rest of our lives.

I am grateful for your examples to me and the letters of encouragement and love And thank you for the prayers. May God be with you.

Love, Sister Rossberg

Ako ay anak ng Diyos (I am a child of God)

Abbi is teaching so many people, and it sounds like their little branch is growing every week! Thy had another baptism this week; a 14-year old boy who started going to church before taking the lessons. 

Sharna
--
Lessons from the Philippines:

"Of course there are still problems and trials but it has brought us closer together."

"And I know it is because they are letting Christ and His gospel be the center of their lives. And he is blessing them immensely.  I love missionary work, and I know that is it the most important work I could be doing in my life. I love it and I love these people."

Thank goodness for families that we can rely on when we need a little pick-me-up! :)


Hello, hello!
Once again, a beautiful week in the Olongapo Mission :) I love receiving your letters and support. You are all great, thank you!! This week has gone by too fast, we had another Baptism on Saturday. He is 14 and went to church before we taught him any of the Lessons so he was able to be baptized quickly. and he has such a great support system, a family in the Branch referred us to him and were involved throughout the whole teaching process they were there every step of the way; and I know that missionary work goes much more smoothly when the Members are involved in the teaching with the missionaries! So happy day! :)

We are receiving so many referrals from our new converts and also from our investigators that aren't yet baptized. They are great examples of prepared souls. It is great to see them getting involved in seminary and the youth activities. The Youth here are so, so strong and supportive in missionary work, I have no doubt that they will all be amazing missionaries in just a few years! This work needs more  young people like these great saints in San Agustin. I am grateful for the support we feel from all the members in this Branch. So we have been teaching many families, both investigators and less actives.

There is such power and Spirit in teaching families. They create a great support for each other as they learn and grow in the gospel together. This week, we visited a family who has gone to church three times together and they are changing so much. They are so happy and the mom, who before wouldn't even talk to us, now talks most of the time! She is so great and I love what she said so much that I will give you a quote of what she said..
"Of course there are still problems and trials but it has brought us closer together."
And I know it is because they are letting Christ and His gospel be the center of their lives. And he is blessing them immensely.  I love missionary work, and I know that is it the most important work I could be doing in my life. I love it and I love these people.

We are all children of God and He loves us so much. He wants us to be the happiest that we could be. And I know that it is only through the gospel, that we can be the happiest we possibly can. I know that there will be trials and problems but that is part of the plan. It is called opposition and boy am I grateful for opposition because without it, we wouldn't know what it feels like to be happy and to feel loved. I am grateful that God created this plan for us and I hope that we can all try our best each day to help others feel the Love of Christ. I love you All and I hope you have a great week.

Ingat po(Take care)! And may God be with you.
Sister Abbi Rossberg

Love your Family. (with photos!)

Another update from Abbi! She is no longer the newbie in the mission and since she keeps conspicuously inserting Tagalog words and things like "the baptismal font at the church was without water," into her letters, I'm assuming that she is doing great with the language! ;)  So, speaking of baptismal fonts being without water, they had to have the baptism this week in the ocean! 

With Grandpa Rossberg's funeral this weekend I think our family has sent quite a few prayers of gratitude for the Plan of Salvation.  It is such a blessing to know that we will live with our families again.  Because of this plan, we are able to have the eternal perspective that the work we do here will continue for eternity. What a blessing it is to have an understanding of the mysteries of God!

Sharna
--
Highlights from Abbi:

"Without family, kapatid (siblings), parents, children, as much as a burden they might feel at times, they are the greatest blessing we have in this life and only through the family unit, can we return to live with Heavenly Father forever. So concerning Family: Love your family."

"You guys send me your updates and it's just crazy how fast things change, and people are moving, and I just love hearing from ya'll.  So keep sending me your updates, when you have time of course! :)

And Abbi, don't say ya'll.

 

Family, Hello!
I bet you all have had a fairly hectic week with all the planning and efforts that go into planning a funeral. I am grateful that you sent me a copy of the program and your thoughts. It makes me feel like I am a part of it.. almost.  And I hope it all went well; I wish I could have been there to support all of you but I love you all and I'm sure it was beautiful. It's really got me thinking about families this week and how important they really are this life.. without family, kapatid (siblings), parents, children, as much as a burden they might feel at times, they are the greatest blessing we have in this life and only through the family unit, can we return to live with Heavenly Father forever. So concerning Family: Love your family.

We found a family this week and I cannot WAIT to go back to teach them this week.. they are all catholic and very loving, one big happy family.. and only can get better with the gospel. I love them already and anyways They are great..

SO this week... my first baptism at the ocean! The baptismal font at the church was without water so.. we went to the ocean.. how convenient right?? We baptized a 9 year old who is from a part-member family but so excited to come to church and learn, he comes to church by himself every week until last week his mom (who is a member) came too! I am so excited to see her get involved in his experience.

And this week is my 2 month mark in the field.. you guys send me your updates and it's just crazy how fast things change, and people are moving, and I just love hearing from ya'll.  So keep sending me your updates, when you have time of course! :)

So this week, also.. hmm new zone and new missionaries! Finally, I'm not the baby anymore but I still feel like I don't know what I'm doing. But it's alll good. Thanks so much for your love and support, I sent you a couple letters again this week so they should get there in the next month or so.. I don't know if you have been getting my letters but I sure hope so.. it's mediyo mahal (a little expensive) to send them so let me know ;) mmkay..

Love you all and I love my family and I miss you more than anything but I am focused on the work, don't you worry about that! Have a good week. I will attach some pictures :)

Love Sister Rossberg

PS:
Sister Jessica Gibbs is serving in Portugal and wrote about a man that knew sign.  I sent her a little excerpt from Jessica's letter:

There was a deaf man at church this last Sunday. He said he is the only deaf church member in Braga and Porto. That would be so hard. No one could communicate with him by sign. He grew up with all hearing people and so he learned how to lip read. He signs mostly international sign language which is different from American but they are really similar. I was able to sign with him and we could both understand each other. It was so cool! He spoke Portuguese, I speak English, but we could both communicate through sign and understand each other perfectly. It was so cool.

Abbi says: 
I'm guessing that story is about Smith. It is so sad the people in foreign countries don’t teach their kids ASL. There is a less active family that have a 3 year old girl who is stone deaf and she doesn’t know how to communicate, but is so teachable, She will copy your every action.  I want to teach her mom and dad and all this stuff but her mom is busy and I just makes me want to cry for her, she is SO cute.. and I wish I could do something…

 

I love the Philippines! And some pics!

Abbi is finally settling into her groove in the Philippines. Her mission had transfers last week, but thankfully she is staying in the same area with her trainer.  I think it will be great for her to be able to get more established in her area and connect with the people there.

Sharna
--
Some highlights from this week:

"It rains everyday.... which makes it a little hard to teach because most all the houses have tin roofs.... it makes it interesting to yell the gospel at the top of your lungs, needless to say. I have only done this everyday and it's great, I love it."

"What I love most about the Philippines is that it's not weird to talk to random people on the street and ask them where they are going.. you can be as nosy as you want!"



Abbi's District and new missionaries

 



So Green!



Uhh, banana ketchup...??

 

I <3 the missionaries.

 

Hello! Great week huh?? Oh yeah, me too!
 
I love the Philippines! I love the weather, It rains everyday.. usually right around 5 or 6 until 9 which makes it a little hard to teach because most all the houses have tin roofs and you literally cannot hear a thing!! But it is great.. It makes this place beautiful and it makes teaching exciting.   Of course teaching is exciting, but I mean it makes it interesting to yell the gospel at the top of your lungs.. needless to say. I have only done this everyday and it's great, I love it.

I love my companion, I don't know if I have told you all about her but she stands about 4'8 but is very feisty.  She will tell you what's up, no problem so it's a good thing I am her daughter in the mission field so I'm on her good side most of the time ;) She is great.  She is a convert of about 9 years and her testimony and knowledge of the gospel and the scriptures is so SO inspiring... as I thumb through the scriptures she is always prepared with a scripture on a certain topic. She's like a dictionary when it comes to Tagalog. I love my companion.. Transfers are this week and thank goodness I won't be transferred.. I'm still in training so no-can-do :) I love this area and I will be very sad to leave but hopefully that won't be for a little while!
 
I love the food here; my favorite food this week is fried egg plant.. it's super good despite what others might say. What I love most about the Philippines is that it's not weird to talk to random people on the street and ask them where they are going.. you can be as nosy as you want! I love my life as a missionary and I'm getting a little tanner but I don't think I will ever be as tan as all these Filipinos! So I attached a couple pictures of the best members ever, the Jimenez Family, they are so great. If we need literally anything they are always willing to help and are so willing, and valiant servants to the Lord. I am, and will be eternally grateful for this family.

Tapos Sister Capa, the younger girl with all the missionaries in the green room house, she feeds us every Sunday after church! I love, love her! And Mama Gege, she is the one sitting by me. She is the best like- a-mom to me but she can never replace you mom... don't you worry! But she will do while I am away from home! Sorry for the short email.. I am doing great so don't worry about me.. Follow up training on Friday was super great.  The new missionaries shared their testimonies and it was comforting to feel that they went through the same things I did. ANd I got to see my MTC Companion! She is great!! 

Thanks for all your love support and prayers. God speed.
Sister Rossberg

I think I get it!

I can't believe how fast time is flying by! Abbi has been a missionary for over 2 months now and she's almost been in the Phillippines as long as she was in the MTC! She is such an obedient little missionary and is always striving to do everything necessary to be the best she can for the people she has been called to teach. And she is finding so much success personally, as well as in her missionary efforts!  I hope that she is feeling the joy that comes from living that way!  We are all so proud of her!


Sharna
--

Kumusta ang Pamilya ko(Hello my family)!! 

So last Wednesday was my two month mark since I have been on my mission and it does not seem that long!! It is crazy how fast but slow these last couple weeks have gone.. it's hard to explain but I'm sure you understand ;) 

 

We have a 6 week follow up training at the mission home this Friday and I can't wait to show President how much I have improved and I just want to do enough work to improve the area and the work here in the San Agustin Branch. 

So this week, the kids went back to school (their school year is from June- Feb) So as we were teaching maraming (many) kids, we had to find new investigators who would be home during our proselyting times. And it has been very very hard. 

 

Tuesday was a grrreat day I love Zone meeting, we go over our goals and it gets me all sorts of fired up for the rest of the week! I want to be like the other missionaries in my Zone, the foreigners who forget how to speak English haha.. one day :). 

 

On Thursday, our first seven.. no joke, 7 appointments were not there and they were adults ha so we went through our whole plans until the end of the night and ended up finding three new investigators and were able to teach them the first lesson that night. Since then, two of them are doing so well and soaking up every single thing the gospel has to offer them, it is so cool to see these people be on fire about the gospel!!

 

So I have had goals to improve my language speaking and understanding skills right? RIGHT! I am improving everyday, whether I see it or not, I know that if I trust in the Lord, he will give me the power that I lack so that I am able to have the skills to do this work for him. I only have 16 months left here in the mission field and I don't want any of my efforts to be wasted, As a missionary in my Zone said, I want to be able to give my all and not have any regrets so that the Lord will accept the 18 months of service I have to give him. This gospel is real, the promises that are given to those who follow the gospel and it's teachings are real. We really can live with God again kasama ng pamilya tayo rin! (with our families too). 
 

I Love Heavenly Father so much and I am so grateful for this time in my life that I have to serve his children in the Philippines. I love hearing about your updates and how you are serving God as well even though it's not a full-time service I know that the Lord is pleased with all of you. This work is great and I'm so glad I get to share it with you once a week!! Have a great week!!

Love,

Sister Rossberg

It Is Better to Look Up!

Abbi is always looking for the good in every situation and this letter is proof positive.  Only she could turn a story about throwing up in someone's bushes into a good experience.  She talked a little bit about a talk from last Conference about how it is better to look up.  He says that when we look to God, we will not feel overwhelmed by the burdens of life.  Focusing on the things that God has in store for us brings personal peace.  But this peace can only come through the Savior.  If we are focusing on the negative in our immediate surrounding, we might miss the blessings that come from living the way that Heavenly Father wants us to.  Abbi says, "I am grateful this week for being born in the covenant and ALL the blessing that come from that alone.., and that my family is faithful to those covenants."  These inherent blessings come from doing the things we need to on a daily basis so that when trials do come, we can hold fast to those truths that bring us comfort and joy.

 

Sharna

--

Highlights from this week:

"I am learning that good things come from 'bad situations'."

"There are so  many strong members of the church who truly give of all their times, talents, and abilities to this gospel and I know the Lord is blessing them in many many ways!"

Hello and good morning from the Philippines! 
So I have been thinking a lot this week about a talk given in Conference by Carl B. Cook.  He was in the elevator feeling and looking down when Pres. Monson came in.

"The door opened and someone entered, but I didn’t look up. As the door closed, I heard someone ask, “What are you looking at down there?” I recognized that voice—it was President Thomas S. Monson.
I quickly looked up and responded, “Oh, nothing.”
But he had seen my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, “It is better to look up!” As we traveled down one more level, he cheerfully explained that he was on his way to the temple. When he bid me farewell, his parting glance spoke again to my heart, “Now, remember, it is better to look up.”

And it truly is better; plus the sun and the stars in the sky are way prettier than the dirt on the ground. 

I'm learning from my trainer each day as we help each other to be exactly obedient to the mission rules, and times and everything. I am learning that good things come from "bad situations". Just like the story I shared with you last week: after I threw up in the investigators yard, her neighbor came out.. a less active member!! She has come to church twice in a row now and as we have visited with her, she talks of maybe going on a mission!!! Well my time is cut short again because of computer malfunctions so I love you all and I hope that you are all doing well. I am so so so grateful for you thoughts and prayers for me each day... as the people and members here have become my family, I love them so much and I look up to them. There are so  many strong members of the church who truly give of all their times, talents, and abilities to this gospel and I know the Lord is blessing them in many many ways!

ps.. I love you all I miss you and I want you to know that I am doing well despite the negativeness of my last letter I am starting to see the sunshine through the clouds. 

The Lord is pleased with my work and truly wants me to do the best that I can do so that is what I will try and do.. I am grateful this week for being born in the covenant and ALL the blessing that come from that alone.., and that my family is faithful to those covenants.  I see many members here who, through trials and tribulations stop wearing the garment of protection and start to live again, a worldly life and they fall off the path.  It is so sad to me to see their children grow up without a knowledge; but then it gives us the opportunity to teach the children because they have soft hearts and are innocent unlike their parents. It reminds me much of in the Book of Mormon with the first batch of Nephites and Lamanites. But I know they will all come back to the fold because they still know it's true.. 

I know it is true and I will forever be indebted to my God who has poured blessing upon me every hour of every day of my life. I will serve him with all my might mind and strength until I die. My hope is that You will too. I am so inspired by all of your thoughts and prayers and letters to me, so thank you ALL for being great examples to me. I love you all so so much and I love you and i miss you.. have a great week!  

Love,
Sister Rossberg

It's About Learning to Dance in the Rain

I still can't believe that Abbi is off, living on the other side of the world!  I check to see what time it is for her occasionally and it always surprises me that it's sooo far away.  I have such a hard time trying to understand what she is going though. If it weren't for her being on a mission, called by Heavenly Father, I would worry a whole lot more about her.  But since I know that He has called her to the Philippines for a reason, and she is trying her best to do what she has been called to do, I know that He will bless her and keep her safe.  I am so grateful to her companion, Sister Alvero, who I know very little about; she is her trainer in every sense of the word.  She has been called to introduce Abbi to the responsibilities of being a missionary as well as the nuances of living in the Philippines and all of the things that it entails.
-Sharna

Highlights from this week:

"I unpacked my things, cleaned up the dresser, made my bed and put away my things and was ready for a nap.  But, since I was trying to be the good missionary I knew I could be, I told Sis. Alvero that I wanted to go out and proselyte!"

"We stepped out the gate and I am not kidding you, everyone on the street was starring at me.. it wasn't until then that it occurred to me that I was the minority and there are no other American's here."

Abbi's First Baptism

Home Sweet Home

Sister Alvero

 

Okay so I realize I have a lot to update you all on because my email last week was pretty pathetic but I am short on time but I will try my best.. here goes. I will start with my second day in the Philippines. 

We had orientation all day with president and his family, all the new missionaries and their trainers. I was so excited and ready to get out there!! Super pumped and ready to serve the Lord!!  It was about a two hour drive from Olongapo, where the mission home is, to the San Agustin where the apartment is. President  stopped the car and pulled over, I was like what? where are we going? There was a red gate and it led down a small path to a house.. THIS would be home... Oh wow, here we go.  I was finally here, no AC, dirty apartment, and only one place for clean water.. this is what I have been waiting for since I got my call back in November.. wow!! Well alright here we go.. 

My comp,Sis Alvero said I could unpack and take my time because we didn't have to go out tonight if I didn't want to. I unpacked my things, cleaned up the dresser, made my bed and put away my things and was ready for a nap. But, since I was trying to be the good missionary I knew I could be, I told Sis. Alvero that I wanted to go out and proselyte! So we got ready to go out, we read and prayed, planned for the day and off we went! 

We stepped out the gate and I am not kidding you, everyone on the street was starring at me.. it wasn't until then that it occurred to me that I was the minority and there are no other American's here. Ha, so anyway, we took a Tricycle to Lanao, our biggest area and we had an appointment, I don't know what I was expecting but this was not it. Our three investigators were three 10 year old girls and two of them had baptismal dates for the next Saturday. I sat mostly in silence other than the occasional thing I could say in Tagalog or say what I could in English and have my trainer translate. As the lesson went on it got dark and started to rain. The lesson was almost over and it was my turn to bear my testimony; and in the middle of it, the power went out... apparently that's super common and it goes out about twice a month. So we went to one other place and then ate dinner at a members home. We went to walk home and the lights turned on! A miracle! My comp was so excited! "We get to sleep with the fan!", she said. and it's only now that I realize what a blessing electric fans are! So that sums up my first day in my area.

So everyday is pretty up and down and I have been pretty discouraged lately and I try to find strength in everything I do and i think of new analogies in every situation just like missionary work is just like life. Missionaries are just good examples of what members in this church should be like.. I have always looked up to missionaries and I didn't know why. 

But one more story.. SO last Tuesday We had interviews for our investigators and i forgot my umbrella and water.. so yes I was tired and dehydrated and long story short because I'm running out of time.. We went out tracting after lunch and I felt sicker and sicker at each appointment and I finally threw up in an investigators' bushes.. that was great.. not. So we got permission to go home and I went to bed. I was feeling so down and discouraged sad and I didn't know if i could do this anymore.. But there is a quote that was in a members house that really stuck with me," Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Well I love you all! And I thank you all so much for your thoughts and love. I think and pray for you all often. 

Much love,

Sister Rossberg

Skype Sesh for Mother's Day with Sister Rossberg!

We got to Skype with Abbi on Sunday night. The time change is definitely interesting, it was about 11pm our time (12 noonish her time) when we finally got a hold of her.   She seemed to be in shock a little bit since she has been there less than a week and everything is still so new.  Things like the traffic laws (or lack thereof), and her being the only American around, adjusting to the heat and humidity, or speaking Tagalog, are all fun little adventures she gets to deal with every day!  She said that all of the kids ask her if she's famous, and the people are so loving and willing to share everything that they have with the missionaries.  Their branch has about 100 members, and there are so many people that they are teaching again and doing a lot of re-activation work with the members there.  It must be pretty successful because she has 4 baptisms on Saturday, 3 of which are young kids who were too young to be baptized with their families when they joined.  It is a great opportunity to teach these families again.
-Sharna

Highlights of the week:

"We almost always have a dinner appointment and I am trying everything.. I ate squid, octopus, and sardines, and some other foods that I didn't know and wouldn't dare ask. (For those of you that don't know, I hate fish and I will not eat sea food.. ask my mom)"

"Take care. Be safe. And make good choices."

 
Maganda Umaga po (Beautiful Morning)! From the Philippines!  Hello Family, I am finally here in the Philippines and I have my assigned area and my companion! I am assigned to the San Augustin Branch in the Iba Zone. There are two sets of missionaries for each branch and the other sisters that are also in my branch are super great I love them so much! The Members here are so friendly and are willing to give you all that they have. We almost always have a dinner appointment and I am trying everything.. I ate squid, octopus, and sardines, and some other foods that I didn't know and wouldn't dare ask. (For those of you that don't know, I hate fish and I will not eat sea food.. ask my mom) So that was a big step for me! One more comment on food, I have eaten rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner since I've been here, except last night! It was a Nanay's birthday so we had spaghetti!!

Every time we go out to proselyte, we have a member with us so that is really cool, I'm not sure if that is normal but I think it's pretty awesome! The active members here are very strong and the less active families have strong testimonies but are just struggling. It is interesting to me to see that a lot of out investigators are 9 or 10 years old and their families are inactive so they were not baptized at 8. Teaching them opens new opportunity to teach their families. These kids are so smart bright, and eager to learn about the gospel. I am so excited for 3 of these young kids to be baptized this coming Saturday, as well as an Brother who is 25.  Seeing them learn and grow in the gospel is so cool!!!

I am slow to understand the people and the language, my Tagalog is getting a little better but my English is getting worse :)
I am so so grateful and humbled to be here in the Philippines at this time.

Well, I ran out of time to email because it's Mothers Day, but I hope you all had a Happy Mothers day! I love all of you and I especially love all the mothers out there and for everything you do for us mga anak (children) I can tell you that we are truly grateful.. well at least I am. Take care. Be safe. And make good choices.
Pasensyia (Patience) for the short email but Thank you for your love and support!

Sister Rossberg

Abbi is alive and well in the Philippines!

We were able to talk to Abbi for about 30 minutes before she boarded her plane from Salt Lake to LA to Hong Kong and finally Manilla!  She was so excited! There was a group of 6 missionaries who she flew with, 4 of which were going to her same mission.  Not too long after that we received a message from her Mission President saying that she had arrived safely.  We also found out that her first area she has been assigned is SAN AGUSTIN in the TAUGTOG District, IBA Zone.  Her new companion is Sister Alvero!

Her Mission President urged the family to write her once a week, but I don't think she would complain about getting more letters from friends. ;)  It's so easy to send her a letter through pouch mail on Dear Elder (hint: there's a link on the sidebar); the mail gets overnighted every Sunday night and I think she should receive it that Tuesday.

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

OF LATTER DAY SAINTS

Philippines Olongapo Mission

Km. 140 National Highway, Mangan-Vaca

2209, Subic, Zambales

Philippines

9 May 2013 

Dear Brother and Sister Rossberg,

We were delighted with the safe arrival of your daughter, Sister Abigail Rossberg here in the Olongapo Mission. She is excited about her mission and enthusiastic about entering the Lord's service in this area.  She has had an orientation session and is now serving in her first assignment with her companion.

Sister Rossberg has been assigned to San Agustin Area, Taugtog District in the Iba Zone. Her companion is Sister Vivian Alvero.  The enclosed map will help you to locate this area and enable you to follow each future transfer.

We urge you to write your daughter each week.  Please include encouraging news of family events and achievements, spiritual experiences and other matters which will bring joy and deeper commitment.  Family problems or other matters which she does not need to know can only bring worry or concern. In emergency cases or special situations you can send a letter to me and I will inform the missionary.

All mail should be sent to the address listed above.  Packages sent through the Postal Service should be sent to the same address. Pouch is available in the United States.  If you need address for pouch or how to do it, please contact me by email. Please do not use Fed Ex or any other mail service because it is expensive to receive the packages.  Be aware that packages sent containing foodstuffs will be attacked by rodents during shipping.  Pack accordingly.  Enclosing your package completely with tape is recommended.

This is a wonderful mission and your daughter is in for one of the greatest experiences of her life.  With your support and encouragement she will mature and progress beyond your expectations. She will develop a great love for her fellow missionaries as they strive to teach a better way of life, and the principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

We appreciate the opportunity to work with your daughter.  We assure you that we will do all we can do to see that she has a fulfilling mission.  Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you or your daughter.  We love your missionary and want this mission to be a great experience for your entire family.

May the Lord's blessings be with you.

Sincerely,     

Roberto Bayobo Querido

Philippines Olongapo Mission                                                    

Mission President