Happy send-your-favorite-missionary-some-chocolate day!

Hi Family!

I'm just kidding about the subject line. Hehehe!

So, this morning I was at the palenke buying vegetables, and a filipino guy walked by, and with as much enthusiasm in his voice as if he had discovered a rare species in the jungles of Africa, he cried out, "A white man! Welcome to the Philippines!" I didn't know I was a man. Well, it made me laugh exceedingly.

Okay, next item. I was awakened on New Year's Eve at about midnight to what sounded like a war outside. I am not even kidding. There were explosion noises nonstop for about an hour, and big flashes of light, and it seriously sounded like if I went outside I would be blown up. It was just fireworks, but it was like nothing I have ever experienced before. I just lay in my bed, completely astounded. It was pretty exciting.

Okay, and do you want to know the translation of Nebuchanezer in Tagalog (you know, the king during the time of Daniel)? It's "Nebucodonosor". I laughed so hard when I saw that. It sounds like a species of dinosaur. :)

Okay, so life is great. We had a lot of investigators at church on Sunday, and the Brother and Sister Guillermo came to church again! And there was another LA family that came, who always say they will go to church, but they never have while I've been here. It's a miracle! I know that Heavenly Father really blesses us when we live worthily to have His spirit with us. I've really seen that, when we are not exactly obedient, or when there is contention, or when the spirit isn't with us as much, nothing goes well. Appointments fall through, people don't keep commitments, and people don't go to church. But when we are really doing our best to be obedient, when we are united as companions, and when the spirit is with us, Heavenly Father really provides a way for things to happen for those we teach. I really have a testimony of that.

I am so thankful to be here on a mission right now. I have learned more than I ever thought I could.

I love you all! Thanks for being the best family in the whole wide world!

Love, Sister Boekweg